Skip to main content

Full text of "Original Letters, Illustrative of English History: Including Numerous Royal Letters; from ..."

See other formats 


Google 



This is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on library shelves before it was carefully scanned by Google as part of a project 

to make the world's books discoverable online. 

It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject 

to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books 

are our gateways to the past, representing a wealth of history, culture and knowledge that's often difficult to discover. 

Marks, notations and other maiginalia present in the original volume will appear in this file - a reminder of this book's long journey from the 

publisher to a library and finally to you. 

Usage guidelines 

Google is proud to partner with libraries to digitize public domain materials and make them widely accessible. Public domain books belong to the 
public and we are merely their custodians. Nevertheless, this work is expensive, so in order to keep providing tliis resource, we liave taken steps to 
prevent abuse by commercial parties, including placing technical restrictions on automated querying. 
We also ask that you: 

+ Make non-commercial use of the files We designed Google Book Search for use by individuals, and we request that you use these files for 
personal, non-commercial purposes. 

+ Refrain fivm automated querying Do not send automated queries of any sort to Google's system: If you are conducting research on machine 
translation, optical character recognition or other areas where access to a large amount of text is helpful, please contact us. We encourage the 
use of public domain materials for these purposes and may be able to help. 

+ Maintain attributionTht GoogXt "watermark" you see on each file is essential for in forming people about this project and helping them find 
additional materials through Google Book Search. Please do not remove it. 

+ Keep it legal Whatever your use, remember that you are responsible for ensuring that what you are doing is legal. Do not assume that just 
because we believe a book is in the public domain for users in the United States, that the work is also in the public domain for users in other 
countries. Whether a book is still in copyright varies from country to country, and we can't offer guidance on whether any specific use of 
any specific book is allowed. Please do not assume that a book's appearance in Google Book Search means it can be used in any manner 
anywhere in the world. Copyright infringement liabili^ can be quite severe. 

About Google Book Search 

Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers 
discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web 

at |http: //books .google .com/I 



.t7 



► 




€-1-7 




lElABD-SiaNFORDiIVNIOR-"VHOTRSirY 



i 



( 

4 



1 







v> 



\t 






ORIGINAL LETTERS, 

ILLUSTRATIVE OF 

ENGLISH HISTORY; 

nrCLUDIKO 

NUMEROUS ROYAL LETTERS: 

FROM AUTOGRAPHS IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM, 

AND 

ONE OR TWO OTHER COLLECTIONS. 



WITH NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS, 

BY 

HENRY 5LLIS, F.R.S. Sec.S.A. 

KEEPEB OF THE MANUSCRIPTS IK THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 



SECOND SERIES. 

IN FOUR VOLUMES. 

VOL. I. 



LONDON : 

PRINTED FOR 

HARDING AND LEPARD, PALL-MALL EAST. 



MDCCCXXVII* 



258990 






• • 



• • •< 

• ••: 



* 






1 • 



* • •* 



» • 






TO 
HIS MOST SACRED MAJESTY 

KING GEORGE THE FOUETH, 

THIS 

SECOND SERIES OP LETTERS 

ILLUSTRATIVE OF 

ENGLISH HISTORY 

IS DEDICATED WITH ALL HUMILITY 

BY 

HIS majesty's most loyal, 

AND DEVOTED SUBJECT AMD SERVANT, 

HENRY ELLIS. 

Brttith Museum, 
April 23«'. 1827. 



PREFACE. 



The Object of the Letters here presented to the 
Reader has been explained in the Preface to the former 
Series. 

It may be sufficient to add generally here, that the 
Combination of the Whole, exclusive of historical in- 
terest, affords a more complete Succession of Specimens 
of the English Language, during the Reigns to which 
the Letters relate, than will be found in any oth» 
Work. 

In this Series, the Portions of History which are 
illustrated, except in one or two particular cases, differ 
entirely from those which received explanation in the 
former Volumes. New events are introduced; and 
new secrets of State unravelled. 

In point of time, the Correspondence is brought 
lower : and in som^ of the Reigns, at periods in which 



vm PREFACE. 

the Editor found a Scarcity of Letters, he has intro- 
duced in the smaller type Contempobaby Memoibs. 
Relics of this description are always valued by the 
Historian ; nor is the Editor inclined to think that the 
more general Reader will repent his pains, should he 
peruse Giovanni Michele^s Report to the Doge cmd 
Senoite of Venice upon his Return Jrom England in 
1557, The Official Account of the last Moments q/'the 
Queen of Scots, Sir Gilbert Talbofs Narrative 
qf4he Venetian Offee of Assistance to King 
Chables the Fikst, or Father Huddleston's 
Account (hitherto concealed though printed) of the 
Catholic Deathried q^Eing Charles the Seconi>. 

The Editor has soipe little fear that he may b^ 
censured for spreading his Comments more diffusely 
in this, than upon the Letters of the former Series ; 
but he trusts that in many instances he has developed 
Truth ; and, it may be, no where with greater success 
dian in his Observations upon the Life and Character 
pf Thomas Cr(»nwell, the Minister of Henry the 
Eighth, who in reality was neither an honest man, nor 
the grateful friend of Wolsey. 

The Bringing of the Second Series of these Let- 
i;SR8 witlun the reach of Memory, is perhaps another 
step of boldness ; but the Events and Characters dis« 



PREFACE. IX 

cussed in them, are not likely to give pain to any one 
alive. To the departed Statesman we have a 
right to use the words which Innocent the Fourth 
dreamt he had heard from bishop Grosteste, ^^ SurgCy 
misery et veni adjiidicium,'" 



CONTENTS. 



VOL. I. 



LXTTEK PAGE 

I. R^inald Lord Grey of Ruthin to the Prince 

of Wales^ upon the breaking out of Owen 
Glyndowr's Rebellion 1 

II. Griffith ap David ap Griffith to Lord Grey of 

Ruthyn^ in defiance of his power 5 

III. The Prince^ afterwards King Henry the Fifths 

to the Keepers of the Marches of Wales^ upon 
his burning the two Residences of Owen 
Gljrndowr 10 

IV. The Constable of Dynevor Castle^ entreating 

for assistance against Owen Gljrndowr • • • • 13 

V. Second Letter from the Constable of Dynevor 

Castle 15 

VI. Richard Kyngeston^ archdeacon of Hereford^ 

to King Henry the Fourth 17 

VII. John Skydmore^ to John Fairforde Receiver 

of Brecknock 19 

VIII. The Mayor and Burgesses of Cairleon to those 

of Monmouth^ upon the defeat of a part of 
Owen Glyndowr's Army by the Lord of Carew 21 

IX. Sir Edmund Mortimer to his Tenantry^ an« 

nouncing his coalition with Glyndowr 24 

X. Henry of Scharisbrec^ Lieutenant of Conway 

Castle^ to William Venables of Kinderton^ 
Constable of Chester^ and Roger Brescy. • . 30 

XI. William Venables of Kinderton and Roger 

Brescy^ to the King^ upon the capture of 
the Constable of Harlech Castle 31 



XII 



CONTENTS. 



LETTER 
XII. 



XIII. 



XIV. 



XV. 



XVI. 



XVII. 



XVIII. 



XIX. 



XX. 



XXI. 



Xl^II. 



XXIII. 



XXIV. 



XXV. 



FAGE 

WiUiam Venables and Roger Brescy to the 
King^ upon the second Assault of Caernar- 
von Castle by Owen Glyndowr and the French 33 

Reynald of Bayldon one of the Keepers of 
Conway to William Venables, Constable of 
Chester, and Roger Brescy 35 

Henry of Scharisbrec to William Venables and 
Roger Brescy, that Owen Glyndowr was 
likely to get possession of Harlech Castle • • 37 

Henry Prince of Wales to his Father King 
Henry the Fourth upon further successes 
against the Partizans of Glyndowr 38 

Richard Earl of Cambridge to Eang Henry 
the Fifth, a Letter of Confession 44 

Richard Earl of Cambridge to King Henry the 
Fifth; sueing for mercy after his con- 
demnation 48 

Thomas Langley Bishop of Durham, to King 
Henry the Fifth, upon the Eang's money, 
jewels, &c deposited in the Church of 
Durham • 50 

Letter to King Henry Vth in behalf of the 
Lord Fumyval Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 53 

The Comptroller of the Castle, and the Regent 
of the Constablery of Bourdeaux, to King 
Henry the Fifth. A. D. 1419 64 

John Alcetre to King Henry the Fifth, upon 
the progress made in building a Ship for the 
King at Bayonne, A. D# 1419 67 

John de Assheton to King Henry Vth. a Letter 
of Intelligence, written apparently about 
A.D. 1419 72 

Sir William Bardolph to King Henry the Fifth, 
relating to the Government of Calais 74 

T. F. to his Fellows and Friends in England, 
from Evreux, A. D. 1420 76 

Heretong Clux to King Henry the Fifth, upon 



CONTENTS. 



Xlll 



XXVll. 
XXVIII. 

XXIX. 



XXX. 



XXXI. 



LETTER PA6B 

the £mperor Sigismund's setting out to re- 
press the Hussites in Bohemia 79 

XXVI. Richard Knygtie and Robert Whitgrave to 
King Henry Vth. from Harfleur^ respecting 
his Treasure 83 

Sir Hugh Liittrell to King Henry the Fifth. . 84 

Letter of the Tenants of Lord Powys respect- 
ing the capture of Sir John Oldcasde 86 

Richard Clifford bishop of London^ to King 
Henry the Vth. concerning an intended Em- 
bassy to the Pope 89 

Thomas Hostel to King Henry the Sixths for 
ahns 9S 

Sir Thomas Rokeby to Humphry Duke of 
Gloucester^ A.D. 1423^ respecting his Cove- 
nant of military S^vice with King Henry 
the Fifth 96 

King Henry the Sixth to his unde John Duke 
of Bedford 99 

H^ry Beaufort Bishop of Winchester to King 
Henry the Sixths requesting leave to go on 
Pilgrimage 101 

XXXIV. William Warbelton to the Duke of Gloucester 

and the Coimcil^ claiming the reward for 
taking Jack Sharpe 103 

XXXV. Letter of Warrant from King Henry the Vlth. 

to the Bishop of Bath^ his Chancellor^ in 
1441^ concerning the exile of Eleanor 
Duchess of Gloucester 105 

XXXVI. John Earl of Oxford to King Henry the Sixths 

requesting a Licence for a Ship^ of which 

he was owner^ to carry Pilgrims. lio 

xxxvn. Thomas Canynges and William Hulyn^ sherifik 
of London^ to King Henry the Sixths P' Ay-* 
ing remuneration for their expences in dis- 
posing of the bodies of Mortimer and other 
traitors^ after the rebellion of 1450 119 



XXXII. 



XXXIII. 



XIV 



CONTENTS. 



LETTER PAGE 

XXXVIII. Richard £ail of Salisbury to one of his Re- 
ceivers, to pay money to his Poulterer in 

London ..^ 116 

XXXIX. The chief Persons in the County of Kildare 
to Richard Duke of York, Lord Lieutenant 
of beland, A. D. 1454, giving an Account 
of the condition of the Country 117 

XL. Richard Duke of York to the Earl of War- 
wick his nephew, agreeing that a Servant 
of his may attend the Earl one year as 
Marshal of Calais 124 

XLi. King Edward the Fourth*s Letter of Privy 
Seal to Thomas Cooke one of the Aldermen 
of London, A. D. 1462 126 

XLii. The Duke of Clarence and the Earl of War- 
wick, from France, to the Commons of 

England 132 

xLiii. Letter of Protection from the Duke of Cla- 
rence for the lands and tenants of the Lord 
Mountjoy, in Derbyshire, A. D. 1470 139 

XLiv. King Edward the Fourth to the Keeper of his 
Privy Seal, after his return to the Throne, 
for Letters patents in reward of William 
Gould, a butcher 140 

XLV. King Edward the Fourth, concerning the re- 
payment of Money to the Bishop of Aber- 
deen and James Shaw 142 

XLVi. Richard Duke of Gloucester, afterwards Rich- 
ard the Third, to .... to borrow 

Money 143 

XLvii. King Edward the Fifth, under the direction 
of his Uncle, to Otes Gilbert, Esq. com- 
manding him to receive Ejiighthood at the 

expected Coronation 147 

XLviii. King Richard the Third to Sir Ralph Hast- 
ings knt. Lieutenant of the Castle of Guisnes 150 
XLix. King Richard the Third to the Lords of his 



CONTENTS. 



XV 



LETTER PAGE 

Council^ A«> D. 1483^ upon the arriyal of an 
ambassador from Isabella Queen of Spain . 152 

L. The Queen of Spam to King Richard the 

Third 154 

LI. The Lord Dynham to the Bishop of Lincoln^ 
Lord Chancellor^ announcing the death of 
Louis Xlth. of France; the yielding of 
Utrecht^ &c 156 

Lii. King Richard the Third to John Russel Bishop 
of Lincoln^ previous to his advancing against 
the Duke of Buckingham^ A. D. 1483 159 

Liii. King Richard the Third to his mother^ the 

Duchess of York. A. D. 1484 161 

Liv. King Richard the Third to his Chancellor^ 
to prepare a Proclamation against Henry 
Tudor and other rebels his followers 162 

Lv. King Henry the Seventh to the Lord Dynham 
and Sir Reginald Bray^ concerning money 
to be provided for two of his Ambassadors . 167 

Lvi. King Henry the Seventh to the Under-Trea- 
surer of England^ concerning the chaises 
of the Scottish ambassadors 169 

Lvii. King Henry the Seventh to the Treasurer and 
Chamberlains of his Exchequer^ for the 
payment of money to Persons attendant on 
his son Prince Arthur 170 

Lviii. King Henry the Seventh to the Treasurer and 
Chamberlains of his Exchequer^ for pay- 
ment of money to the Attendants on the 
Lady Mai^aret 171 

Lix. King Henry the Vllth to the Treasurer and 
Chamberlains of the Exchequer^ for various 

payments. A. D. 1491 . • • • 172 

Lx. Answer to the Challenge of the Four Knights^ 
at the Justs held in honor of the birth of a 
Prince, in 1511 179 

LXi. Dr. William Knight to Thomas Wolsey the 



XVI 



CONTENTS. 



LXIV. 



LXV. 



LETTER PAGE 

King's Almoner^ A. D. 1512^ concerning the 

affkin of Navarre 188 

LXii. Dr. William Knight to Thomas Wolsey the 
King's Ahnoner. A. D. 1513. Further ad- 
vices from Navarre 194 

LXiii. Doctor Knight to King Henry the Vlllth. 
upon the King of Arragon's truce with 
France; and proposing the restoration of 
the King of Navarre. A. D. 1513. ^3 

SirRohertWingfieldtoKingHenrytheVIIIth. 
reporting the Victory of Novara 210 

Sir Edward Howard^ Lord Admiral^ to King 
Henry the £ighth^ upon the State of the 
King's Fleet. A. D. 1513 813 

Sir William Fitzwilliam to Cardinal Wolsey ; 
a naval despatch 222 

O'Donnd^ the Irish 'rehel^ to King Henry 
Vlllth. exculpating himself 224 

Cardinal Bainbridge to K. Henry the Vlllth. 
a Letter of Intelligence ; the practices of the 

French at Rome 226 

Lxix. Charles Earl of Worcester to Cardinal Wolsey : 
detailing the particulars of an audience from 
Louis the Xllth. previous to the marriage 

with Mary of England 233 

Lxx. The Earl of Wwoester and Dr. West to 
King Henry the Eighth. A fragment only. 

A.D.1514 239 

ucxi. The Earl of Worcester to Wolsey, giving the 
King of France's reasons for the return of 

Lady Guildford 243 

Lxxii. The Duke of Sufiblk and the other Ambassa- 
dors in France to the King, giving an ac- 
count of their N^ociations, the Coronation 

oftheQueen,^ 247 

Lxxiii. Charles Brandon Duke of Suflfblk to Wolsey. 
The Queen of France crowned. Albany's 



LXVI. 



LXVII. 



LXVIII. 



CONTENTS. 



XVU 



LETTER 



LXXIY. 



LXXV. 



LXXYI. 



LXXVII. 



LXXVIII. 



LXXIX. 



LXXX. 



LXXXI. 



LXXXII. 



LXXXIII. 



LXXXIV. 



VOL. I. 



PAGE 

intention to go to Scotland. The Justs 
finished 255 

Louis the Xllth. of France to King Henry the 
Eighth^ expressing his contentment .••.•• 960 

Isabella of Arragon^ Widow of Frederic King 
of Naples^ to the Queen of France^ imploring 
assistance for herself a^d her sons^ Ferdinand 
and Alphonso « 1^63 

Thomas Lord Dacre and Dr. Magnus to King 
Henry Vlllth. upcm Queen Margaret's de- 
liyery of a daughter. A. D. 1515 265 

Letters Patent of King Henry the Ei^th for 
a charitable collection towards the relief of 
Prisoners in Barbary. A. D. 1515 268 

William the IVth. Duke of Bavaria to King 
Henry the Eighth^ recommending Wolfgang 
Richart^ who had perfected an " Opus Mu- 
sicale" 271 

Margaret Queen of Scotland to Lord Dacre in 
answer to the charge that she had written to 
the French King for the return of the Duke 
of Albany; acknowledging it and pleading 
her necessities. A. D. 1520 276 

Lord Thomas Dacre to Queen Margaret; « 
Letter of r^roof ; sent to her by the Laird 
of Barrow. A.D. 1521 279 

Richard Pace to Cardinal Wolsey^ concerning 
a new Book of Martin Luther^ and the 

King's zeal against Luther 286 

Sir Thomas More to Cardinal Wolsey upon the 
Affairs of Scotland 2S9 

Sir Thomas More to Cardinal Wolsey, chiefly 
detailing the transaction of busiriess with the 
King ••• 292 

Margaret Archduchess of Savoy to Dr. Kni^t, 
the English Ambassador at her Court, an- 

-nouncing the news of the Victory of Pavia 296 
SER. 2. b 



• •• 

XVUl 



CONTENTS. 



LETTER PAGE 

Lxxxv. Sir John Russell to King Henry the Eighth^ 
on the Duke of Bourbon's disposition ; with 
further .particulars of the Emperor's Victory «97 
LXxxvi. Richard Pace to Cardinal Wolsey, with the 
News of the French King's imprisonment 
at Pizzigitone ; The Duke of Albany's mo- 
tions j &c 303 

Lxxxvii. John Clerk, bishop of Bath, to Cardinal Wol- 
sey, upon the state of Italy as affected by the 

Battle of Pavia 305 

Lxxxviii. The Bishop of Bath to Cardinal Wolsey, upon 
his negoeiations with the Emperor's Ambas* 
sadors at Rome; Money paid to them, &c. 317 
Lxxxix. Sir John Russell to Cardinal Wolsey, concern- 
ing the French King, and the Emperor's 
other prisoners 324 

xc. Dr. Taylor to Cardinal Wolsey. Peace con- 
cluded between the Emperor and Francis 
the First 329 

xCi. Dr. Taylor to Cardinal Wolsey. The arrival 

of Francis the First at Bayonne. 1526 . . . • 331 

xcii. Dr. Taylor to Cardinal Wolsey. Reports an 

Audience from Francis the First 333 

xciii. Dr. Taylor to Cardinal Wolsey. The Afiairs 
of Italy. Francis the First has a fall from 
his horse . ., 337 

xciv. Louis lid. of Hungary to King Henry the 
Eighth, entreating assistance against the 
forces of Solyman the Magnificent 341 

xcv. Ferdinand of Austria to Herman Archbishop 
of Cologne. The news of the Battle of 
Mohatz , 344 



LETTERS 



OF 



THE REIGNS OF 



KING HENKY THE FOURTH 



AND 



KING HENRY THE FIFTH. 



The Letters of the Reign of HENRY the FOURTH, with which 
this Volume opens, relate entirely to Owen Gljmdowr's Rebellion. They 
are in number fourteen, and are, with one exception, new to History. 

That they should have remained so long in the Cottonian Library 
unnoticed^ must excite surprise. 

Several of these are from Constables of Castles, and show not only the 
mode of keeping the fortresses of that time, but the nature of the War£Eure 
which was waged against them. 

The Welsh hated Henry the Fourth for his ill usage of King Richard 
the Second. They had Aimished Richard with troops in his contest 
with the Nobles ; and remained unshaken in their fidelity to him as long 
as they believed him to be alive. 

Of the Letters of the Reign of HENRY the FIFTH, there are Two 
more curious than the rest: one concerns the State of Ireland in 1417; 
the other from John Alcetre at Bayonne, in 1419, details the prepress 
made in building a Ship of very extended dimensions for the King. 

Henry the Fifth was the first of our Monarchs who saw the advantage 
of maintaining Ships for the purposes of War, distinct firom the mer- 
chants* Vessels. 






9 w ti M w 

J * • •* 



• m - w 



* 



ORIGINAL LETTERS, 



ETC. 



LETTER I. 



Reginald Lord Grey ofRuihm to the Prince qfWaHes^ 
upon the breaking out of Owen Glyndowr's Rebellion. 

[mS. cotton. MXJS. BRIT. CLEOP. F. III. fol. 70. Orig»] 



*«* Leland, in his Itinerary, has given in few words the pedigree of 
Owen Glyndowr, with his relationship to King Henry ihe Seventh : 

<( Uuelin ap Jorwarth Droyndon, Prince of all Wales, had Grifith. 
Grifith had Uudin. ' Uuelin had Catarine his heir. Catarine had £lea^ 
nor. Eleanor had Helene and Catarine. This Helene was mother to 
OWEN GLINDOURE. Catarine had Meredik. Meredik had Owen. 
Owen had Edmunde earl of Richmond and Gasper earl of Pembroke. 
Edmunde had Henkt the Seventh*"* 

The time of the birth of Gljrndowr is uncertain ; some placing it in 
1349, others in 1354. Holinshed says, ^' strange wonders happened (as 
men reported) at the nativity of this man ; for the same night he was borne, 
all his father's horses in the stable were found to stand in blood up to 
their bellies." ^ 

Walsingham tells us that Owen Glyndowr was bred in an English Inn 
of Court, that he was an esquire of the body to King Richard the Second, 

* Lei. Itin. vol. v. fol. 46. 

i> Holinshed* p. 521 . The original of this passage is in Walringham. 

VOL. I. S£R. 2. B 



obi6I]^aL' l^f pifas. 



• • 



and one of the U^ wfap x^gn^uned in the suite of that Monarch when he 
was taken j^ri^ne^^in Flint Castle. After Richard*s death, Owen became 
for a shpd dp& e9^\iire to the earl of Arundel. At this time he had re- 
t^;^ to- Ms* f slate in Wales, where his property lay contiguous to that of 
• 'J/.tB&Lord Grey of Ruthjm, who claimed and unjustly seized a portion of 

* • 9 

'•; I it Glyndowr petitioned the Parliament for redress ; but Henry espousing 
the cause of Lord Grey, Owen was unsuccessful. Leland says, that upon 
this occasion the bishop of St. Asftph cautioned the Parliament not to 
despise Owen, lest the Welsh should rise ; but the advice was treated 
with a sort of national contempt. *■ 

Another act of treachery upon the part of the Lord Grey threw Owen 
into open revolt. He withheld the Letter of summons for Owen to at- 
tend the King in his Scottish expedition, till it was too late to join the 
rendezvous. Owen excused himself from the shortness of the notice ; but 
the Lord Grey represented him as disobedient. The King went to Scot- 
land, and Owen, who found he had incurred the king's displeasure, either 
arranged his plans, or joined in those which the Welsh had formed, for a 
rebellion. 

Upon Henry's return, the Welsh were rising in arms ; and Lord Grey, 
whose ancestors had received Ruthyn with a view to the protection of the 
frontier, was ordered to go against them. It seems to have been at this ' 
point of time that the Letter which immediately follows was penned. It 
was apparently written in the month of June, A. D. 1400. Lord Grey 
expresses himself strongly in it upon the difficulties of the task imposed 
upon him : but it is remarkable that he makes no personal mention of 
Owen Glyndowr : neither is Glyndowr named in Henry the Fourth's first 
Proclamation against the rebellion of the Welsh, dated Sept. 19, 1400. 
IHen. IV.k 

A Chronicle compiled by one of the Chaplains of King Henry ihe 
FlfUi, of which two copies are preserved in the British Museum, ^ speaks 
of the Welsh as rising in aims, and afterwards choosing Gljmdowr for their 
chief. This, it is probable, was the fact. The earl of Arundel, to whom 
Glyndowr had become an esquire, personally remained firm to the King. 
Glyndowr seems to have been chosen on account of his descent. 



* " Anno D. 1400 factum est Farlianientum London. Ad hoc venit Audoenus de 
Glindor Wallicus. qui fuerat anniger comitis Arundel, conquerens quod dominus 
Qray de Ruthine quasdam terras suas in Wallia usurpavit : sed contra domimim 
Gray nil profecit. Episcopus de S: Asaph consuluit in Parlamento quod non omnino 
pnefotum Audoenum centemnerent« ne forte Wallici insurgerent : at illi in Parla- 
mento dixerunt ae de scurris nudipedibus non curare." Lei. Collect, tom.- i. 
p. 810. Henry the Fourth himself, in one of his Letters, speaks of the Welsh as 
" de petit reputacion." 
^ See Rymer. torn. viii. p. 150. <= MS. R^. is. C. I. and MS. Donat 1776. 



OBIGINAL LETTERS. 3 

Right heigh and myghty Prynce, my goode and 
gracious Lorde, I recomaund me to you as lowly as I 
kan or may with all my pouer hert, desiryng to hier 
goode and gracious tydynges of your worshipful! astate 
and welfare, which I prey to allmyghty Grod as goode 
mot thei be ^ ye in your gracious hert kan best deuyse 
un tQ the plesaunce of God and of you. And gracious 
Lorde pleseth hit un to your heigh astate to witte that I 
have resceyued our liege Lord es pryve seal with your 
oun worshipfiill lettres to me sent, commaundyng me un 
to see, and to apees ^ the misgouemance and the riote 
wich ye heu-en that is begimnen heer in the marches of 
North Wales. Pleseth unto your gracious lordshipe to 
witte that I have do my power, and woU doo fro day today 
by our liege lord es comaundement and by youres, but 
my gracious Lorde, plese hit you to witte that ye with 
avise of our liege lord es counsaile most giffe me a moore 
plejmer oommyssioun then I have yit, to taken hem in 
the Kynges grounde, other in the Erles ground of the 
March, other in the Erles of Arundele, ^ or in any 
lordes grounde of North Wales ; and by the feith that 
I owe un to my ligeaunce I shall trewely do my power 
to do our liege lorde the Kynges commaundement and 
youres : but worshipfuU and gracious Lorde ye most 
comaunden the kynges officers in every cuntree to do 
the same. Also, my gracious Lorde, ther been many. 

• appease. 
^ Caitel Diaas Bran, in the neif(bbourhood of Glyndowrdy. was the fortrtss pos- 
sessed by the Earl of Arundel in Denbighshire. 

4<4 



4 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

OfBcers, sume of our liege lord the kyng es lond, sume 
of the Erles of the Marche es lond, sume off the Erie 
es londe of Arundele, sume of Fowise lond, sume of 
my lond, sume of other lord es londes heer aboute, 
that ben kjnne un to this meignee that be rissen. And 
tyll ye putte thoo officers in better governance, this 
cuntre of North Wales shall nevere haue peese. And 
if ye hadde tho oflScers under your governance, thei 
koude ordeyn remedy, wherthrogh thei sholde be taken. 
And, gracious Lorde, plese hit you to witte that the day 
that the Kynges messager cam with the Kynges lettres 
and with youres to me, the strengest thiefe of Wales 
sent me a Lettre, which lettre I send to you, that ye 
mowe knowen his goode wyll and gouvemance, with a 
copie of an other lettre that I have send to hym agayn 
of an Answare. And also, gracious Lorde, I besech you 
lowely that ye wolde vouchsaufe to giffe feith and cre- 
dence to a pour squyer of myn, Richard Doim, of that 
he shall enfourme you of by mowthe touchyng tydynges 
of this cimtree ; and that ye wolde take to you our liege 
lordes counsaile and ordeyn other remedie for hem then 
we been of powere for to do, other elles trewely hitt 
woU be an unruely Cuntree within short tyme. My 
gracious Lorde I kan no more write at this tyme, but 
God that is our elder sovereigne gife you long lyve 
and well enduryng. Written at Ruthyn the xxiij day 
of June. 

REGINALD DE GREY 

S" de Ruihyn, 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 5 

If the Letter which is pasted at the back of Lord Orey's be that which 
he alludes to as written by '' the ttrongest thief in Wales" that personage 
must have been "Griffith ap David ap Griffith, one of Glyndowr's most 
strenuous partisans. His epistle, indeed, is of a barbarous character, and 
breathes more oi savage warfare than €li chivalry : but such was the 
general feature of Glyndowr's campaigns. The conclusion of this Letter 
will serve as a sufficient specimen. ^* And there as thou bearest upon us 
that we sholde ben in purpose to brenne and sleyen men and horses for 
thy sake, or for any of those endinant to thee, or any of them that ben 
the King's trew liege men. We was never so xojn avised to work again 
the King ne his laws, which if we did were high treason : but thou hast 
had false messages and false reporters of us touching this matter, and that 
shall be well known unto the King and all his CounciL Furthermore, 
there as thou knowkdgest by thine own lettre that thy men hath stoUe 
our horses out of our Park, and thou recettour of them, we hope that thou 
and thy men shall have that ye have deserved. For us thinketh though 
Jo^ Welle hath done as thou aboven has certified, thinketh that that 
shdld not be wroken toward us. But we hope we shall do the a privy 
thing ; a rope, a ladder, and a r3mg ; high on gallows for to henge. And 
thus shall be your endyng : and he that made the be ther to hdpyng : and 
we on our behalf shall be well willyng : for thy Lettre is knowledging. 
Written," &c. 

In consonance with the same feeling, we have another Letter from 
Griffith ap David ap Griffith ; the whole of which is here laid before the 
reader. 



LETTER II. 

Griffith ap David ap Griffith to Lord Grey ofRuthyUy 

in defiance of his power, 

[ms. cotton, cleopat. r. iii. fol. 72. Orig,\ 



WoRSCHiPFULL Lord I recomande me to zou and to 
zour lordschip, and I wold pray zou hertli that ze 
-vrold her how the fals John Wele serued me, as al 



6 OEIGINAL LETTERS. 

men knoyn wel. I was under the protexion of Mered 
ap Owein, he sende to me be trety of my cosynes 
maester Edward and Edward ap Dauid, and askyt 
zyf I wold cum in and he wold gete me the Eangs 
charter, and I schuld be maester forster and keyshat 
in Chirke is lond ; and other thinges he behizt me the 
qwich he fulfuUy t not. Afterward he askyt me qwether 
I wold go ouer see with hym, and he wold gete me my 
charter of the Kynge, and bringe me to hym sounde 
and saff, and I schuld haue wages as muche as any 
gentilman schuld haue that went with hym ; and ouer 
this he seide befor the byschop of Seint Assaph, and 
befor my forsaede cosynes, that rather then I schuld 
fael he wold spene of his own godde xx. marke. Her 
apon I trust, and gete me ij. men, and bozt arraery at 
all pees, and horses, and other araement, and come to 
Oswestre a nyzt befor or thei went ; and on the morw 
ther after I send Piers Cambr the reseuor of Chirke is 
lond, thryes to him, for to tel him that I was redy. 
He saed that I schuld speke no word with him ; and 
at the last he saed that he hade no wages for me ; and 
that he hade al his retenev; but bade me go to 
Si*. Ric. Kakin* to loke qwether he hade nede of me. 
With the qwych I had neuer ado nor no covenande 
made, for I wold a gon for no wages with hym ouer 
see, but for to haue my charter of the Kjmg and sum 
leuying that I myzt dwel in pees and in rest. And 
this, as a wytnes of S»*. Ric Lakyn and of Strange, I was 

* /. Lakin ; <u below. 



0BI6INAL L£TT£IIS. 7 

redy and wylly for to a gon with hym hedde he be 
truw. He come and saed priuely to S^ Ric. and to 
Straunge (q^. he) her is Gruffuth ap David ap Gruffuth 
in this town, and has no sauecondyt but in Chirke is 
lond ; and ze mown take hym and ze woUe ; and a 
gode frende come and told me this ; and I hert this 
and trust me thens in al the haste that I myzt ; and 
so I was begyllyd and deseyued of that fals wele as 
al men knoyn welle. And so I hade no leuyng worth, 
qnowth no werche, but take my leuyng as gode wolle 
orde3m for. And as I herd ther ben taken ij horses 
of zour men that wem pyte in zour parke, thoo horsys 
I wod qwer thei ben ; but for no hatered that I hade 
to zou or zour lordschip thei wem taken, but my men 
toke ham, and bozt ham of hem. And hit was told me 
that ze ben in purpos. for to make zour men bran and 
sle in qwade soeuer cuntre that I be, and am sesened^ 
in. With owten doute as mony men that ze sleu and 
as mony hoWsin that ze bran for my sake, as mony 
wol I bran and sle for zour sake; and doute not I 
wolle haue both bredde and ale of the best that is 
in zour lordschip. I can no more, but Gode kepe 
zour worschipfull astate in prosperite. Iwrettin in 
grete haste at the parke of Brinkiffe^ the xj day 
of June. 

From 

GRUFFUTH AP DAVID AP GRUFFUTH. 



* seiseined. 
k Perhaps Brynkir near Penmorfo, in the parish of Dolbenman in Caemarron- 
shire* among the mountains. 



8 OBIGINAL LETTERS. 

The ChamberUin of Caernarvon •p^peBO^ at this time, to have fimiBhed 
the King's Council with a better outline of what was going on in Wales, 
than Lord Oiey ; though it is remarkable that, in ihe first instance, he 
like^Hsc makes no mention bj name of Owen Oljmdowr. The original 
of the Paper of Intelligence which the chamberlain of Caernarvon com- 
municated, is preserved in the same volume with the Letters : it shows too 
that the Welsh held some -communication at this time with the Scotch. 

'^ This is the Credence by mouth, that is to saj howe J<^ Salg^iall 
oonestable of Hargla^ certefied and warned bj lettre to the Chamberleyii 
of Camarvane howe that a gentell man of Waljrs that most knowe and 
pr3meise was with Med up Owyn in grete specialte, warned hym of an 
accotde made betwene the same Med and men of the Owt YIes and 
of Scotland, throgh lettres in and owt, as he enformed hym, that they 
sholden come a lond and aryve at Abermowth and Eve betwix this and 
midflommer neghst with her power; and that the same Med shold 
prively do wame his frendes to make hem redy with hors and hazneys 
nggyn the same tyme; for which wanyng the same gentell man dar 
npght passe the toun of Harglagh &c. And likest hit semeth to be 
soth be cause of the governance of the Walsh peple, for they seQeth her 
catell, and byeth hem hors and hameys, and sume of hem steDeth hors, 
and sume robbeth hors, and purveyen hem of sadles, bowes, and arowes, 
and other hameys, &c. And recheles men of many divers cuntzies 
voiden her groundes and her thrifty governance and assembled hem in 
dissolate places and wilde, and maken many divers congr^adones and 
mee3mge8 prjrvely, thogh her counsaile be holden yet secrete fro us, 
wherthrogh yong peple are the more wilde in governance.** * 

A Proclamation, dated May 28th, 1401, in the second of Henry the 
Fourth, names Glyndowr and other rebels as assembling in the Marches 
of Caermarthen. 

Adventurers now flocked to join the standard of Olyndowr : Welsh- 
labourers from every quarter of the kingdom, and Welsh scholars ftom 
the Universities. There is an original Paper on this latter circumstance, 
which fully corroborates the notice in the Rolls of Parliament. ^ This 
also is preserved in the same Volume. A copy of it will be acceptable, 
at least to the Welsh Antiquary : 

'' Howel Kethin bachiler of the Uv, duellyng in Myghell Hall at Ox- 
enford: 

'^ Maister Morres Stove of the Collage of Excestre at Oxenford : 

*' Jev* Cloghith scoler, duellyng en Teusvikes In at Oxenford : 

'' Maister David Legct Brith, due%ng in Teusvikes In at Oxenford. 

^^ John Lloid duelling in Cattestrete in Seint Marie entra . . 

^^ Johan Pole sais that Howel Kethin forsaide schuld have counseilled 

• MS. Cotton. Cleop. F. III. fol. lis b. 

>> Rot. Pari. 2 Hen. IV. 1400—1401. torn. iii. p. 45T. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS* If 

Griff, sp. Jen' sckaier, that duelled undir Bxejrtfain, to go till Owein and 
duell with him, and for to become his num. Also he sais that Maister 
Morees^ Stove was with Owein this somer last jTpast. Also he sais that 
Owein send after Maister David Leget be him, that he schuld com till 
h jm and be his man. Also he sais that GMff. ap Jevan foisaid told him 
that Jcbn Lloid assured him be his trowth that he schuld com to hym 
in to Wales for to be com Oweins man. 

*' I mong all othir things he confessed that he was y send be Owein for 
these clerks forsaidein to Englond, for to bryng hem to him in to Wales. 
' *' Also he sais that Jankyn Tybj of the North country bringthe lettres 
owte of the Northe contre to Owein as thei demed from Henr. son Percy.'* * 

The subsequent history of Lord Grey of Ruthjm may be here glanced 
at. His capture by Glyndowr, his imprisonment, and his ransom, are 
matters of general History known to most readers; though the drcum- 
•stanoes of his capture are difl^rcntly told. Some, both Welsh and 
English writen, oflBrm that a marriage with one of the daughters of 
Gljmdowr was a principal condition of his liberty.^ This statement is 
periiaps untrue. ^ It would be remarkable indeed if both Glyndowr's 
prisoners had married his daughters: for the same is related of Sir 
Edmund Mortimer.** Nor did Lord Grey of Ruthyn die, as has been 
also stated, in confinement with Gljrndowr : ^ for he served King Henry 
the Fifth both in his wars in France and with his fleet, and lived to the 
19th of Henry the Sixth. ' The largeness of his ransom, however, 
crippled his means as a baron of the realm : this is expressly stated by 
Hard3mg in the unpublished Manuscript of his Chronicle which he pre. 
sented to King Henry the Sixth : 

** Soone after was the same Lord Gray in fedde 
Fyghtyng taken and holden prisoner 

By Owayne« so that hym in inlson helde 

Tyll his raunson was made and fynaunoe der 
Ten thousonde marke, and fully payed wer. 

For whidie he was «o pore than aU hia lyfs. 

That nopowgr he had to werr ne etryfa.'* 

* Cleop. F. ilL fol. 54. b. 

>> So Fabyan, edit isil. p. STO. Lei. Collect, tom. 1. p. 4S5, flrom an old Chro- 
nicle. Rapin, Hist. Engl. edit. 1T83. vol. i. p. 49i. 

« Dugdale in his Baronage, vol. i. p. tit. gives him two wives, without naming 
the daughter of Glyndowr. *' This Reginald,** he says, " had two wives; vis. 
Margaret the daughter of William Lord Ros, and Joane daughter and heir to 
William Lord Astley.^ Had Lord Grey married a daughter of Glyndowr, he would 
hardly have been called upon tor a ransom. Such an allianoe oould only have had 
identity of interest for its motive 

' Vita Ric H. per Mon. Evesh. A. D. 1403. " Eodem anno doroinus Edmundus 
Mortimer, circa festum S. Andrese Apostoli, filiam pnedicti Owyni Glyndore de- 
sponsavit ma-yima cum solennitate.** 

• See Fabyan, p. 5T0. Hall, last edit p. 2S. Thomas's Memoirs of Owen Glen- 
dower, 8VO. Haverfordw. 1832. p. 86. 

f Dugd. Bar. tom. i. p. TIT* 



10 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 



LETTER III. 

The Prince, afterwards King Henry the Ftfthj to the 
Keeper q ofifie Marches qf^fValeSy upon his burning 
the two Residences of Owen Glyndowr. 

[ms. cotton, cleop. f. III. fol. 117 b. Ofign'l 

*«* That Henry the Fifth, when Prince, was deeply engaged in the 
war with Wales, is a fact well known to History : * but that he went in 
person, at the very opening of it, to Olyndowrdy is new. We have here 
his own account of the expedition. 

Internal evidence fixes the date of this Letter to the year 1401 or 1402. 
Henry the Fourth, in the month of July in the latter year, made the 
first of his three expeditions against the Welsh ; *> and the advanced attack 
appears to have been made by his son. 

The Prince informs the Keepers of the Marches of Wales, of Olyn- 
dowr*s intended inroads into England ; that hearing of his vaunts, that 
^' he wished to come to battle with the English,'*^ he had sought him in 
hitf home'; and had burnt both his Residences, his '' principal mansion*' 
at Saoherm', and his other at Oltkdowrdt. 

Saghem was, no doubt, the same place which the Welsh bards called 
Stcharth, the description of which by Jolo Goch, one of Gljrndowr's 
bards. Pennant has quoted as a description of Olyndowrdy. ^ 

Leland says, that ^' Owen Glindour had a place in Yale, upon the 
North side of De, caullid Raoarth, five mile above Dinas Brane :*' 
this was probably the place which is called Saghem in the Prince's 
Letter. 

The traces of Olyndowrdy, in 1778, disappointed Pennant, who found 
the vestiges of the House smalL The moat was very apparent ; but the 
measurement of the area indosed, was no more than forty-six paces by 
twenty-six* A note in the last edition of Pennant's Tour says, many of 
the vestiges have been since ploughed up, or otherwise destroyed. The 
Vale called Olyn-Dwrdwy, or the Valley of the Dee, extend9 about 
seven miles. 



« Th. Elmham Vita Henrici V. ed. Heame, p. 8. 

t> A. D. M.CCCC.11. *' Rex Angliffi ante festum Assumptionis Sanctc Mariae, ool- 
lectis exerdtibus, profectus est in Walliam ad persequendum Owenum de Glendor* 
sed nihil prof uit tantiu armorum strepitus^ cum Wallicus in nota latibula se recepitt 
quin poti&s (ut putatur) arte magica« regem pend perdidit cum exerdtu quam du« 
cebat, per pluvias, nives« et grandlnes (ut creditur) arta dialnlics oondtataf.** T. Wal- 
singh. Hist, edit 1674. p. 407. 

• Tour in Wales. 



ORIGINAL LETTRKS. 11 

Depar le Prince 
Tbeschiers et tresentierment bien amez, Nous vous 
salvons tressouvent de notre entiercuer,envous merciant 
treschierement de la bone consideracion quele vous avez 
a la bosoignes que nous touchent en notre absence ; et 
vous prions tresefiectuousement de votre bone et amy- 
able continuance^ come notre fiance est en vous. Et 
endroit des nouvelx par decea, si vous vuillez savoir, 
entre autres, nous estions nadegaires enfourmez que 
Oweyn de Glyndourdy fist assembler son pouair d'^au- 
tres rebelx de ses adherentz a grand nombre, purposant 
pur chivachier, et aussi combatre si gens Englois lui 
voudroient resister de son purpos, et ainsi il se avantoit 
a ses gens ; per quoy nous prismes nos gens et alasmes 
a une place du dit Oweyn, bien edifie, que feu son prin- 
cipale mansion appelle Saghern, laou nous supposasmes 
de lui avoir trove sil voussit avoir combatu en manere 
come il disoit ; et a notre venue illoeques, nous ne 
trovasmes nul home, einz nous fismes ardre toute la 

Translation. 



Very dear and entirely well beloved, we gieet you much from our whole heart* 
thanking you very dearly for the attention you have paid to every thing needful that 
concerned us during our absence ; and we pray of you very earnestly the continuance 
of your good and kind disposition, as our trust is in you. By way of news that 
have here occurred, if you wish to hear of them, we have among other matters been 
lately informed that Oweyn de Glyndourdy has assembled hisforces, and those of other 
rebels adhering to him, in great number, purposing to commit inroads, and in case of 
any resistance being made to him by the English, to come to battle with them, for so he 
vaunted to his people: wherefore we took our forces and marched to a place of the said 
Oweyn, well-built, which was his principal mansion, called Saghem, where we thought 
we should have found him, if he had an inclination to fight in the manner be had said ; 
but on our arrival there, we found nobody ; and therefore caused the whole place to be 
burnt, and several other houses near it belonging to his tenants. We thence marched 



IS 0BI6INAL LKTT£aS« 

place, et plusieurs autres maisons la entour de ses 
tenantz. £t puis nous enalasmes droit a son autre place 
deGl)aidourdy,pur lui querer illoeques,et la nousfismes 
ardre un beau logge en son pare, et toute la paiis la 
entour. Et nous nous loggeasmes la delies toute ce noet, 
et certainz de noz gens isserent illoeques en la paiis, et 
pristerent un grand gentil de la paiis qi feu un des 
chiefteyns du dit Oweyn, li quel offiist cynk centz livres 
pur son ranson pur avoir eu sa vie, et d'*avoir paie 
la dit somme dedeinz deux semaignes ; nepurquant ce 
ne feu accepte, mes il avoit la mort ; et diverses autres 
de ses compaignons que furent prisez en la dit joumee 
avoient le mesme. £t puis ce nous enalasmes en le 
Commote Dedimyon en . . . de Merionnyth et 
illoeques nous fismes ardre une beau paiis et bien 
enhabite; et dilloeques nous enalasmes en Powys, et 

. . setee de vitail por chivaux en 

Gales, nous fismes noz gens carier aveignes ove eulx, et 
nous hostasmes per . . . urs. Et pour vous enfourmer 
plus au plein de ceste joumee, et de touz autres nouvelx 

Translation* 

straight to his other pkice of Glyndowrdy, to seek for him there« and we caused a fine 
lodge in his Park to be destroyed by fire« and laid waste all the country around. We 
there halted all the night, and certain of our people sallied forth into the country, 
and took a gentleman of the neighbourhood who was one of the said Oweyn's chief- 
tains. This person oflRsred five hundred pounds for his ransom, to preserve his 
life, and to be allowed two weeks for the purpose of raising that sum of money ; but 
the offer was not accepted, end he receiv^ death, as did several of his companions 
who were taken the same day. We then proceeded to the Commote of Edeymicn 
in Merionethshire, and there laid waste a fine and populous country ; thence we 
went to Powys, and there being a want of provender in Wales for horses, we made 
our people carry oats with them, and pursued our march. And in order to give you 
full intelligence of this march of ours, and of every thing that has occurred here, we 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 13 

par decea de present, nous envoions pardevers notre tres- 
chier escuier John de Waterton, a qi vuillez adjouster 
ferme foye et credence en ce qil vous reportera de notre 
part touchant les nouvelx desuisdites. Et notre Seigneur 
vous ait toudys en sa sante garde. Donne soubz notre 
signet, a Shrouesbury le xv. jour de May. 

■ 

Translation^ 

send to you our well beloved esquire John de Waterton« to whom you will be pleased 
to give entire fiaith and credence in what he shall report to you touching the events 
above moitioned. And may Our Lord have you always in his holy keeping. Givoi 
imder our Seal at Shrewsbwry the I5th day oi May. 



LETTER IV. 



The Constable ofDynev(yr Castle, entreating for 
assistcmce against Owen Glyndowr. 

[mS. COTTOK* MUS. BRIT. CLEOP. F. III. foL 111. Or%g.'\ 

*,* This and the succeeding Letter seem to have been addressed to 
the Receiver of Brecknock ; and by him communicated to the King's 
CoundL 

The First gives us no exalted notion of the Constable's courage. '' A 
siege is ordained at the Castle that I keep, and that is great peril for me.'* 
^^ Y writ in haste and in dread." 

From the Second we gain more important information. It acquaints 
us of the extent of force with which Glyndowr moved in his inroads. 
When assailing Djmevor Castle, according to the calculation of his 
own adherents, he mustered eight thousand and twelve score spears, 
" such as they were." 

The Welsh Castles, it must be observed, at this period, were not ex- 
' tensively garrisoned. There is a Paper in old French, in the Volume 
from which these Letters are taken, of the very time of Gl3mdowr's re- 
bellion, which furnishes in few words the actual state of many of them. 



14 OKICINAL LKTTfiKS. 

At Ccmwmj, John de Mascy vat mmtablc of die Cattle : he had fifteen 
men at antes and lixty ardien with him : Sdt. 2d. were allowed to main- 
tain this fbftreas per daj, amounting in the year to Jt714. ISs* lOd, 
Caemarfoo had John Bolde lor its constable, with twoity men at arms 
and ei^ty aidiers : the annual maintenance amounted to £900. 6*, Sd. 
Crukkith Castle had Roger de Aooon for constable, with six men at aims 
and fifty ardien: annual maintenance £416. 14«. 2d. Hardelag^ had 
Dycon le Mascy for constable^ with ten men at aims and thirty archers : 
ycariy maintenance £389. S«.8dL These were the Castles in North Wales 
belonging to the Prince ; the total of their charges amounting to £2421. 
Sr. id. Denbigh Castle belonged to the Earl of March, and had been 
granted to Henry Percy : Beaumaris also belonged to Henry Percy, with 
the Isle of Angiesea. Ofthese Castles, Moos', de Rutlsnd, with thirty 
men at arms and a hundred and twenty ardiers, kqit Denbigh, at an 
annual expense of £1672. 18«. id. : Jolm de Polle, with fifteen men at 
arms and a hundred and forty ardiers, kept Beaumaris, at the yearly ex- 
pense of £988. 10«. lOd. The Castles which bdonged to the Prince as 
Chamberlain of Chester were Rudhlan and Flint. Of Rudhlan Henry 
de Conewey was constable, who kept it with nine men at arms and forty 
archers, at an expense of £422. lbs. lOd. Of Flint, Nicholas Hauberk 
was constable, with four men at arms and twdve archera : expense £146 
per annum. * 

In none of these Castles was there such a force as could at any time 
venture upon a sally. » 



DuBE frende i do zow to wetyn that Oweyn Glyn- 
dour, Henri Don, Res Duy,^ Res ap Gr. ap Llewellyn, 
Res Gethin, han ywon the town of Kermerdyn, and 
Wygmor constable of the Castell hadd yzeld op the 
Castell of Kermerdyn to Oweyn ; and han ybrend the 
Town, and yslay of men of town mor than 1. men ; 
and thei budd 3m ^ purpos to Eedweli ; and a Seche ^ 
ys y ordeynyd at the Castell that i kepe, and that ys 



• MS. Cotton. Cleop. F. III. fol. 136. 

^ The execution of ** Rice ap Die,** prdbaUy the tame person, in the llth Hen. IV. 
will be hereafter mentioned. See the note in p. 44. 

« bein. «• Si^e. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 15 

gret peril for me, and al that buth wydde ine ; for thai 
han y mad har^ avow that thei well al gat haue owss ^ 
dede th^'yn. Wher for I prei zow that ze nul not 
bugil*^ ous,'o that ze send to ous^ warning wyth yn 
schort time whether schull we have eny help or no ; 
and hot ther bn ^ help comig ^ that we have an answer, 
that we may come bi nizt and stell away to Brechnoc ; 
cause that we faylyth vitels and men, and namlich men. 
Also Jenkyn ap LI. hath y zeld op the Castell of Em- 
Ijm wyth fru wyll ; and al so William Gw)m, Thomas 
ap David ap Gruff' and moni gentils bun ^ jni perscm 
wyth Oweyn, Warning erof I prei that ze send me 
hi the berer of thus ^ letter. Farydd well yn the nam 
of the Trinite, Y wryt at Dynevour, yn hast and yn 
dred, jm the fest of Seint Thomas the Martir. 

JANKYN HANARD 

Constable de Dynevour. 



LETTER V. 

Second Letter Jrom the Constable ofDynevtyr Castle. 

[hS. cotton, hub. BRIT. CLEOP. F« HI. f<dL 123 b. Orig.\ 

Dure frynd, y do zou to wytjoig that Owe)ai was in 
porpos toKedewelly, and the Baron of Carewe was that 



• their. i>u8. 'boe^le? ^hwa, 

• coming. ' been. b this. 



\ 



16 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

day comyng wyth a gret retenu to ward Seint Cler, 
and so Oweyn changed is purpos and rode to zens^ the 
Baron ; and that nyzt a logged hym at Seint Cler and 
destruid al the Contre about. And a tysday they wer3m 
at Tretys al day ; and that nyzt he logged hym at the 
town of Locharn, sex myles out of the town of Kermer- 
dyn ; thys purpos ys zef so that the Baron and he a 
cordyth in tretys, than a tomyth a zein to Eermerdin 
for hys part of the godes, and Res Duy is^ part ; and 
mony of thes gret maistres stont^* zet in the Castell of 
Kermerdyn, for they havenot y made her<* ordinance 
whether the Castell and the Town schall be brend or 
no, and ther for, zef ther is eny help comyng, hast 
hem with al haste toward ous for they mowe have 
godes and fytelles plente,for everych hous is full aboute 
ous of her pultre, and zet^ wyn and hony ynow in the 
Contre, and whet and ben, and al maner vitelles. And 
we of the Castell of Dunevor had tretys of ham Mon- 
day, Ty wsday, and Wendysday, and now a woU or- 
dejm for ous to have that Castell for ther a castyth to 
ben y serkled thince, for that was the chef plas in old 
tyme. And Oweyn ys moster a Monday was, as they 
seyyn hem selvyn, viij. Mill, and xij". spers, such as 
they wer. Other tidyng y not now, bot God of Hevene 
sene^ zow and ous from al enemyes. Y wryt)m at 
Dynevor this Wednesday in hast. 

•agaimt t>hi8. «stnp. <* their. eyet 'send. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 17 



LETTER VI. 

Richard Kyngesixm^ archdeacon of Hereford^ to King 

Henry the Fourth. 

[mS. COTTOK. CLEOP. F. III. foL 121 b. Orig,\ 

*,* The leader has now a Letter before him, partly in French and 
partly in English, from Richard K3mge8ton, archdeacon of Hereford. 
From another Letter in the Collection, which is also partly in French 
and partly in English, it appears that he was likewise Dean of St. George's 
Chapel at Windsor ; though he is not usually recorded as such in the Lists 
of Deans. His eagerness for the arrival of the King in Wales by forced 
marches, is expressed in his postscript, with an earnestness which is almost 
ludicrous. According to Le Neve's Fasti Ecdesis Anglicans, he ceased 
to be archdeacon of Hereford, by resignation, in 1404. 

From the words ^' en votre comencement" in this Letter, it is dear 
that it must have been written at an early period of the Welsh war. 



Notre tresredoute et soverein Seigneur le Roy, je 
me recomande humblement a votre hautesse come votre 
petite creature et continuel oratour. Et notre tresre- 
doute et soverein Seigneur le Roy> vous plese a savoir 
qe de jour en autre y vienent Lettres de Gales conte- 
nantz Lettre illeoques par queles vous p'rez entendre 
qe toute la pais est perdu sy vous ne venez le plus 

Translation, 



Our most redoubted and sovereign Lord the King, I recommend myself humUy to 
your Highness as your lowly creature and continual orator. And our most redoubted 
and soyereign Lord, please you to know that firom day to day Letters axe arriving 
flrom Wales* containing intelligence by which you may learn that the whole country 

VOL. I. SER. 2. C 



18 OKIOINAL LETTERS. 

hastifment. Surquoyvousplesevoustaillordeyersiioz 
parties ave toute le poer qe vous poez enchivachant si 
bien de noet come de jour pour salvacion des parties. 
Et vous plese a savoir qe il est graunt vergoigne, si 
bien come per de qe vousperderez ou sufirez estre per* 
duz le pais, en voire comencement, qe voz nobles aun- 
cestres ount gaignez, et pour sy longe temps peisible- 
ment tenuz ; car les gentz parlont tresmalvfdsement. 
Et j'envoie a votre noblesse la copie d'une Lettre qu^est 
venuz de John Skydm(»*e ycest matin. Notre tresre- 
doute et soverein Seigneur le Roy, je pry a luy tout- 
puissant qil vous ottroie tresbonne vie et sainte, oue 

grant haste 

victoire de voz enemys. Escr. en^haste a Herford le 
viij*^. jour de Juyll.^ 

Votre petite creature 

BICHABD KYN6ESTON 

Ercedeakne de Herfbrd. 

TfMntlaiien. 

ig lost* if you do not gto there as quiek as poesiUe. For which leuaa may it pleaie 
you to prepare to set out with all the power you can muster, and march day and night 
for the salvation of those parts. And may it please you to-reflect that it will be a gnat 
disgrace as well as loss, to lose or suffer to be lost, in the beginning of your reign, a 
country which your noUe ancestors have won, and for so long a. time peaoeaUy posr 
sessed. For people talk very unfavourably. And I send to your Highness the copy 
of a Letter whiith came fiom John Scudamore this morning. Our most redoubled 
and sovereign lord the King, I pray to the Almighty that he may grant you a happy 
and holy life, with victory over your enemies. Written in haste^great haste» at Here, 
ford, th« 8th day of July. 

Your lowly creature, 

■RICHARD KYMGB8T0N, 

Ar<^tdeactm o/Her^/brd, 



« The other Letter, mentioned in the Introduction to this, finishes in a suniUur 
mann^: <* Escript a Hereford en g. tresgrant haste a trois de la docke apres noooQ, 
le tierce jour de Septembre^— « Treste ze nought to no Lieutenaunt" 



OBIGIVAIi CETTESIS; 19 

And for Grodes love, my lyge Lord, thinkith on zour 
self and zoure astat, or bemy ^ trowthe all is lost elles ; 
but and ze come zoure self with haste all other woUe 
folwin aftir. And ot^ on Fryday last Kermerdyn town 
is taken and brent, and the Castell zolden<^ be Ro. 
Wygmor, and llie Castell Emelyn is y zoldin ;c and 
ftlajm of the toune of Kermerdyn mo thanne 1. per- 
sones. Writen in ryght gret haste on Sunday ; and 
y crye zow mercy and putte me in zoure hye grace 
that y write so schortly ; for, be my trowthe that y owe 
to zow, it is needful]. 



LETTER VII. 



John Skydmore, to John Favrforde Receiver of 

Brecknock. 

[mS. cotton. MUS. BRIT. CLEOP. F. in. foL 120. OrigJ\ 



WouscHiPFUL Sib, y recomand me to yow ; and 
for as meche as y may nouzt spare no man. from this 
place awey fro me, to certiefie neyther the King ne my 
lord the Prynce of the my'schefs of this ^ Countrees 
abouute, ^ ne no man may pas by x\o wey hennes, y 
pray yow and requere yow that ye certefie hem ^ how al 

• by my. '' 9«. note. c yielded. 

dthcM. •about fthem. 



90 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

Kermerdyn schire, Kedewely, Camwaltham, and Ys- 
kenyn ben sworyn to Oweyn yesterday, and he lay to 
nyzt was yn the Castel of Drosselan, with Rees ap 
Gruffuth ; and ther y was and spake with hym upon 
truys, and prayed of a saufconduy t ^ under his seal to 
send home my wif and hir moder and thair mayne,^ but 
he wolde none graunte me; and on this day he is 
aboute the towne of Kermerdyn, and ther thenkith to 
abide til he may have the Towne and the Castel ; and 
his puipos ys from thennes into Fenbroke schire, for 
he halt ^ hym siker ^ of al the Castell and Townes in 
Kedewelly, Gowerslonde, and Glamorgan, for the same 
cuntrees have undertake the seges of hem til thei ben 
wonnen. Wherfore wryteth to Sir Hugh Waterton, 
and to all thilke that ye suppose wol take this mater to 
hert, that thei exite the Kyng hederwardes in al hast 
to vengen hym on summe of his false traytors the 
wheche he hath overmeche chereyschid, and do rescowe 
the Townes and Casteles in these countres for y drede 
fulsore^ ther be to fewe trewe men in hem. Y can no 
more as nowe ; but pray Grod help yow and us that 
thenken to be trewe. Written at the Castel of Car- 
reckeiien ^ the v. day of Juil. 

Yowres 

JOHN SKYDMORE. 
To John Fairforde^ 
Rescevor of Brekenok. 

* safe conduct. ^ company, train. < holds. 

* lure. • full sore. ' Carreg Cennen. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. £1 



LETTER VIIL 

The Mayor and Burgesses of Cairleon to those y 
Monmouthj upon the defeat of a part of Owen 
Glyndozvr's Army by the Lord of Carew. 

[mS. cotton. MUS. BRIT. CLEOP. F. III. foL 116. Orig.'] 

*,* This Letter is curious on two accounts. It acquaints us with the 
defeat of a portion of Gljrndowr's forces by the baion of Caiewe ; a fact 
unknown to our Historians ; * and it details a conference between Owen 
Glyndowr and one Hopkin ap Thomas, whom he held to be ^^ master of 
Brut," as to what should be his fate hereafter. Master of Brut means 
skilled in the prophecies of Merlin, whose vaticinations form a part of 
the Brut of Geofirey of Monmouth. 

Henry the Fourth and Glyndowr were both worked upon by ancient 
predictions ; and each, it is probable, sought the type of the other in 
those numerous prophecies which our ancestors, in the thirteenth, four- 
teenth, and fifteenth centuries, were so fond of considering as in a state 
of progressive accomplishment. 

By the parties who met at the house of the archdeacon of Bangor, 
Henry the Fourth was quoted as the moldewarpe accursed of God ; ^ 
while Glyndowr, Sir Henry Percy, and Sir Edmund Mortimer, were 
represented "as the dragon, the lion, and the wolf, which should divide 
the realm between them. Such, says Hall, was '^ the deviation, and not 
divination, of that mawmet Merlin." The sequel of Gljmdowr's history 
shows that Hopkin ap Thomas of Gower was not infallible as a seer. 

The baron of Carewe mentioned in this Letter must have been Ni. 
cholas Carewe of Carewe Castle in Pembrokeshire. 

Fenton, in his History of that County, p. 249, says that Carew was 
one of the royal demesnes belonging to the Princes of South Wales, and 
with seven others was given as a dowry with Nesta, daughter of Rhys ap 

a A defeat of Glyndowr by the lord of Powys is mentioned in a Letter of Sir Henry 
Percy to some bishop, dated from Denbigh* June 4th, without year. MS. Cotton. 
Cleop. F. III. fol. 27. Sir Henry had made an expedition to " Catheridrys." He had 
then not announced his defection. 

^ ** Talpa, ore Dei maledicta, superba, miscra, et turUda." 



SfE ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

Tewdar, to Oenld de Windior, who was appointed lieutenant of those 
parts by Henry the First, on the outlawry of Amulph de Montgomery. 
His eldest son William succeeded him in the possession of this Castle as 
lord thereof, whose son Odo gave Redbard, near Caiew, to the Knights 
of St John at Slebeck. His son William was the first who took the 
name of Caiew, whose descendants for many generations enjoyed it, till 
Sir Edmond Carew mortgaged it to Sir Rhys ap Thomas, to enable him 
to go on the expedition to Therouenne, where he was killed by a cannon 
balL The estate was again granted in fee by King Charles the First to 
Sir John Caiew, a descendant 



Geetyng to yow our gode frendes and worschipful 
burgeis of Monemouthe, we do yow to understonde of 
tydynges the weche we have yherd of Owein Glyn- 
dor, that is to wete of Lettres under seel the wheche 
were y sende to us by the Capteyne of the towne of 
Kadewelly ; and in the Lettres wer y wrete words that 
ther was a day of batell ytake by twyxt the worthy 
Baron of Carewe and Owein Glyndor ; and we do 
yow to understonde that thys day of bataill schuld 
have be do the xii. day of Jule ; and the nyzt be fore 
that thys bataill schulde be do, Oweyne wes y purpos 
to have yvoidede ym to the Hull azeinward; and for 
he wold y wete whar his wey wer clere y nowe to passe, 
zyf he hede nede, to the Hull, he sende vii. C. of his 
meine* to serche the weyes, and thes vii. C. menne went 
to serche thys weyes, and ther thys vij, C. menne were 
y mette with the barons menne of Carew, and I slay 

up every chone that ther was nozt on that sc 

. . . alyve; and thes words buth ^ y do us to understonde 

• many. i* be. • 



ORIOI^^AL LETTERS. 2& 

that it is sothe with owte lesyng. And fforthermor we 

do yow to understonde that Oweine the 

es in the ton ^ of Kairm'^then he sende after 

Hopkyn ap Thomas of Grower to come and speke with 
hym upon trewes ; *> and when Hopkyn come to Owein, 
he piede ^ hym, in as meche as he huld hym maister of 
Brut, that he schuld do hym to imderstonde how and 
what maner hit schold be falle of hym ; and he told 
hym wittliche that he schold be take with inne a bref 
tyme ; and the takyng schold be twene Kayrmerthen 
and Grower ; and the takyng schold be under a blak 
baner: knowelichyd that thys blake baner scholde 
dessese hym, and nozt that he schold be take undir 
hym. No more con^ we say to yow at thys tyme, 
bote buthe glad and mery, and drede yow nozt for we 
hopethe to God that ze have no nede. And we do 
yow to understonde that al thys tydyngs buth^ sothe 
with oute doute. 

Per LE Maire <$• les Burgeis 
de Kairlyon. 



• town. t> truce. « prayed. 

* can. , • be. 



24 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 



LETTER IX. 

Sir Edmund Mortimer to his Tenantry^ anrumrwing 
his coalition with Glyndowr. 

[ms. cotton, cleop. f. III. foL 122 b. OrlgJ] 

*J* This Letter lends its aid to the correction of an error into which 
the greater part of our Historians have fallen £rom the fifteenth to- the 
eighteenth century. 

Walsingham, Hall, Stowe, Dugdale in his Baronage, Rapin, Hume, 
and others, have uniformly represented Edmund Earl of March to have 
been taken prisoner by Owen Glyndowr, while, in fact, he was at that time 
of tender age and a prisoner to King Henry the Fourth. Pennant in his 
Tour in Wales, Coxe in his Monmouthshire, Malone in his Notes on 
Shakspeare, and Dr. Sayers in his Disquisitions, have all noticed the error. 

The person opposed to, and captured by Gljmdowr, was, in reality 
Sib Edmund Mortimer^ the uncle of the Earl of March. The battle 
in which he was taken prisoner, was fought near Melienydd in Radnor- 
shire,* June 12th, 1402. Henry the Fourth subsequently refused him 
permission to pay a ranscMn ; the consequence of which was that he joined 
Glyndowr. The present Letter announces to his tenants his entrance into 
the league. 



Teeschiees et bien amez vouz salue mielx souvent, 
et vous face a entendre que Oweyn Glyndor ad moeue 
une querelle la quelle est tielle, qe si le Roy Richard 

Translation, 

Very deu and well beloved. I greet you much* and make known to you that Owen 
Glyndowr has raised a quarrel, of which the object is, if King Richard be alive, to 



a Dugdale says, " upon the mountain called Brynglase, near Knighton in Mele- 
nyth." Bar. torn. 1. p. 150. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 26 

soit en vie de luy restorer a sa coronne, et sinoun qe 
mon honore Neuewe q'est droit heir al dit coronne ser- 
roit Roy d'^Engleterre, et qe le dit Oweyn avoreit son 
droit en Gales. Et je veiant et considerant qe la 
dite querelle est bone et reisonable ay assentee de 
outrement estmer en la dite querele, et Paidere et 
mayntener, et par la grace de Dieu a bon fyn, Ainen : ' 
Vous empant chierement de cuer qe vous voillez moy 
aider qe mon dit querele soit bonement achivee, et 
d'altre part voillez favoir qe les Seignories de Melle- 
nyth, Werthrenon, Raydre, Comot de Vdor, Arwystly, 
Keveilloc, et Kereynon sont ore tarde venuz en nos 
mayns. Pourquoy vous unqore emp^e qe vous ne facez 
ascun joumay a mes dites terres, ne nullez damages a 
mes ditz tenantz, et vous eux deliverez vitailles sur 
certeyn resonable p''ce come vous voillez qieo ferray a 
vous le mesme, et de cestes moy voillez mander re- 
sponse. Treschiers et biens ames Dieux vous doyve 

Translation* 

restore him to his Crown, and if not, that my honoured nephew, who is the right 
heir to the siud Crown, shall be King of England, and that the said Owen will assert 
his right in Wales. And I, seeing and considering that the said quarrel is good and 
reasonable, have consented to join in it, and to aid and maintain it, and, by the grace 
of God, to a good end. Amen ! I ardently hope, and from my heart, that you will 
support and enable me to bring this struggle of mine to a successful issue. I have 
moreover to inform you that the Lordships of Mellenyth, Werthrenon, > Raydre, <> the 
Commot of Udor, c Arwystly ,d Keveilloc, and Kereynon, are lately come into our po^ 
session ; wherefore I moreover entreat you that you will forbear making inroad into 
my said lands, or to do any damage to my said tenantry, and that you furnish them 
with provisions at a certain reasonable price as you would wish that I should treat 
you : and upon this point be pleased to send me an answer. Very dear and well be> 



Witliereiuton. •> Raidrey. • Comolhoyder. "• Ewias Lacy ? 



96 OEIOINAL LETTERS. 

grace de bien fair al oomencement et vous amesne a 
bon fin. Escr. a Mellenyth le xiij. jour de DecemlNre. 

ESMON MoaT:BM£a. 

A mes trescli. et biens ames 
Moils'^. Johan Greyndor^ Howell 
Voug*in^ et touts lea gentielx et 
oomanes de Raydenor et Pres- 
betnde. 

Tramhtiotu 

loved, God give you grace to prosper in your beginnings, and to arrive at a h^ppy 
issue. Written at MeUenyth, the isth day of December. 

BOMUND MOBTXMBB. 

To my very dear and well beloved M. 
John Greyndor, Howell Vaughan, and all 
the gentles and commons of Radnor and 
Preshemde. 



There are two circumstances connected with this Letter pardcularly 
deserving of remark. One, that Sir Edmund Mortimer appears doubtfitl 
in it whether King Richard the Second was alive or dead. The other, 
that when speaking of the division of the Kingdom, he makes no mention 
of the share which was to fall to the Perdes. ' 

Opinion certainly wavered, at this time, as to Ridiaidls positive fate; 
though conjectured, it was not known. There can be no doubt that the 
Proclamation of Henry the Fourth against the Inventors of false Reports, 
dated at Westminster, June-5th, in this very year, was intended to satisfy 
those who continued uncertain. It states that rumours had been hinted 
to the ears of the foolish that King Richard, hb last predecessor, was still 
alive in Scotland, and that he was coming with the Scots to invade the 
realm; whereas, in truth, the said Richard was dead and buried: 
'^ quod dominus Ricardus nuper Rex Anglise, ultimus pnedecessor 
noster, adhuc vivit in Scotia, quodque in manu forti, ac vexillo protenso, 
veniet una cum Scotis in dictum r^;num nostrum, ipsum, et nos, ac ligeos 
nostros protinus invasurus, cum in re* veritate prcefatus RICARDUS, 

sit MO&TUUS et SEFULTUS."* 

Upon the omission of the Percies, we have only to observe that Sir Ed- 
mund Mortimer's Letter is dated December the 14th, and that the tri- 

• Rym. Feed. torn. viii. p. 261. C'laus. 3 Hen. IV. p. «, m. 13 d. 



OKI6INAL LETTERS. 27 

partite Indeiitiire of Partitilm wall not finally agreed upon tfll toward the 
middle of the next year. The negotiation for the partition of the King- 
dom seems to have origihated with Mortimer and Glyndowr only. The 
battle of JShrewsbury was fou^t on July 2]8t, 1403. 

The Manuscript Chronicle already named, compiled by one of the 
chaphuns to King Henry the Fifth,* gives the particulars of the final Treaty 
signed at the House of.the archdeacon of Bangor more amply than they 
can be found elsewhere. The Sevan, the Trent, and the Mersey, were 
to shut in Owen's territory ; while the Percies were to have not only all 
that was North of Trent, . but Leicestershire, NorthamptoniMrej War- 
tbickshire, and even Nobtol'k. Sk Edmund Mortimer (not the ne. 
phew whom he wpetSss of in his Letter,) was to Content himielf with 
the remainder. The expectation dedared in this Treaty that the con- 
tracting Parties would turn out to be th6 persons spoken of by Merlin, 
who were to divide the Greater Britain, as it is called, amongst them, 
corroborates the story told by HalL The whole passage is here sub- 
mitted to the reader's perusal : the words are evidently those of the Treaty. 

'^ Hoc anno Comes Northumbris fecit legiam, et confederationem, et 
amidtiam cum Owino Olendor et Edmundo de Mortuo mari, filio quon- 
dam Edmundi Comitis Marchiffi, in certis articulis continentibusformam 
que sequitur et tenorem. Primo quod iidem domini, Owinus, Comes, et 
Edmundus, erunt amodo ad invicem conjunct!, coufoederati, uniti, et 
ligati vinculo veri foederis et vere amidtie, certieque et bons unionis. 
Iterum quod quilibet ipsorum dominorum honorem et cpmmodum alio 
volet et prosequetur, ac etiam procurabit dampnaque et gravamina que 
ad unius ipsorum notitiam devenerit, per quoscumque alicui ipsorum in- 
ferenda, impedient bona fide. Quilibet quoque ipsorum apud alium aget 
et faciet ea omnia et singula que per bonos, veros, et fidoe amicos, bonia, 
veris, et fidis amicis agi et fieri debent et pertinent, firaude et dolo cessan- 
tibus quibuscumque. Item si et quotiens aliquis ipsorum dominorum 
sdverit vd cognoverit aliquid gravaminis sive dampni procurari sive 
ymaginan per quoscumque contra alium, ipse aliis, quam dtius commode 
fieri poterit, ea significabit, et ipsos de et super hoc adjuvabit, ut adversus 
malicias hujusmodi, prout ei visum fuerit, sibi valeat providere. SoUiciti 
quoque emnt quilibet ipsorum dominorum impedire dampna et gravamina 
praedicta bona fide. Item quilibet ipsorum dominorum in teippore 
necessitatis, prout decet, juxta posse, aUum adjuvabit. Item si dispo- 
iTEKTE Deo ajppdrefU prasfatis Dominis ex processu temporis, quod ipsi 
sunt ecedem persoruB de quibus Propheta loquitur, inter quos regimen 

• MS. Sloan. Brit. Mus. 1776. fol. 42 b. Another. Copy of this Chronicle occurs 
MS. Reg. 13 C. I. 



S8 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

B&iTAKKiiE Majoris dividi debeat et partiri, tunc ipsi laborabunt eC 
quilibet ipsoruin laborabit, juxta posse, quod id ad efiectum effiotdter 
perducatur. Quilibet quoque ipsorum contentus erit portiooe regni prse- 
dicti sibi ut infra scribitur limitata, absque ulteriori exactione seu supe- 
rioritate qnacunque, ymmo quilibet ipsorum in portione hujusmodi sibi 
limitata fequali libertate gaudebit Item, inter eosdem Dommos unani. 
miter conventum et concordatum existit, quod pnefatus Owinus et hsre- 
des sui habeant totam Cambriam sive Walliam, sub finibus, lunitibus, 
et bundis infrascriptis, a Leogrea quae vulgariter Angliam nuncupatur, di- 
visam ; viz. a mari Sabrino sicut flumen Sabrinum ducit de mari, de- 
soendendo usque ad borialem portam civitatis Wigomiae, et a porta Ula 
directe usque ad arbores fraxineas in lingua Cambriensi sive Wallensi 
Ouuene Margion vulgariter nuncupatas, que in alta via de Brigenorth 
ad Kynvar ducente crescunt ; deinde directe per altam viam, quae vetus 
sive antiqua via vulgariter nuncupatur, usque ad caput sive ortum flu- 
minis de Trent, deinde directe usque ad caput sive ad ortum fluminis 
Meuse vulgariter nuncupati, deinde, sicut iUud flumen ad mare ducit; 
descendendo infra fines, limites, et bundas suprascriptas. Et pnefatus 
Gomes Northumbris habeat sibi et haeredibus suis comitatus infra- 
scriptas, viz. Northumbr. Westmorland. Lancast. Ebor. Lincolniam, 
Notjmgam, Derb. Stafford. Leycestr. Northampton, Warwic. et Nor- 
flTolch. Et dominus Edmundus habeat totum residuum tocius Angliae 
int^re sibi et successoribus suis. Item quod pugna, riota, seu discordia 
inter duos dominorum ipsorum, quod absit, oriatur, time tertius ipsorum 
dominorum, convocato ad se bono et fideli consilio, discordiam, riotam, 
seu pugnam hujusmodi debite reformabit; cujus laudo sive sententiae 
discordante hujusmodi obedire tenebuntur. Fideles quoque erunt ad de- 
fendendum regnum contra omnes homines, salvo juramento ex parte praB- 
fati domini Owini illustrissimo Principi domino Karolo Dei gratia Fran- 
corum Regi, in ligea et oonfederatione inter ipsos initis et factis pnestito. 
Et ut praedicta onmia et singula bene et fideliter observentur, ipsi domini 
Owinus, C(Hnes, et Edmundus, ad sacrum corpus dominicum quod per- 
severant jam oontemplans et ad sancta Dei Evangdia per eosdem cor- 
poraliter tacta jurarunt praemissa, omnia et singula, sicut posse eorum, 
inviolabiliter observare, et sigilla sua altematim prsBsentibus in testimo- 
nium apponi fecerunt.** 

The variance between the Percies and King Henry the Fourth, is re- 

, presented by Hardyng to have originated in three causes : in their own 

refusal to give up certain prisoners of rank who had been taken at the 

battle of Homildon ; in the King's refusal to let Sir Edmund Mortimer 

pay a ransom; and in an interview between Sir Henry Percy and 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 29 

ft 

Glyndowr, which had excited the King's particular jealousy. * Speaking 
of Sir Henry Percy, Hardyng says, 

" The Kyng hym blamed for hi toke not Owen, 

Whoa he came to him on hig assuraunce ; 
And lie aunswered then to the Kyng again. 

He might not so kepe his affiaunce. 

To shame hym self withe suche a variaunce. 
The Kyng bluned hym for his prisoner 
Th' Erie Douglas, for cause he was not there. 

And saied he should hym fette but he hym sende. 

Sir Henry sawe no grace for Mortimer 
His wife's brother ; he went away unkende 

To Berwyk so, and after came no nere. 

Afore thei mette at Shrowesbury in fere ; 
Wher then thei faught for cause of his entent. 
He purposed had Mortimer his coronemenfi* 

Leland, in his Collectanea, quotes a passage £rom another Chronice, 
which describes some more minute particulars of the opening of the quar- 
rel between Sir Henry Percy and the King : 

*'*' Comes Norihumbris petiit ab Henrico rege pecuniam sibi debitam 
pro custodia Marchise Sootis. Cui rex respondit, ' Aurum non habeo ; 
aurum non habebis.* Venit similiter filius comitis, Henricus Percy, qui 
sororem Edmundi de Mortuo mari, captivi in WalUa, habebat in uxorem, 
rogans regem ut permitteret Edmundum redimi de proprio: cui Rex 
respondit *■ quod cum pecimia regni non fortificaret inimicos suos contra 
se.' Henricus Percy dixit, 'Debet homo sic se exponere periculo pro 
Yobis et regno vestro, et non succurretis ei in periculo suo ?' £t Rex 
iratus dixit, ' Tu es proditor. Vis ut succurram inimids meis et regni ?* 
Cui Henricus, ' Proditor non sum, sed fidelis; et ut fidelis loquor/ Rex 
traxit contra eum pugionem. ' Non hie,' dixit Henricus, ^ sed in 
CABiFO,* et recessit." « 



* An early notice to the King's Council, of presumed intercourse between Hotspur 
and Glyndowr, has been already mentioned in p. 9. 
<> Hardyng's Chronicle, 4to. Lond. 1S12, p. 360, 861. 
« Lei. Collect, torn. i. p. 813. Ex Paraliporo. sive Derelictis ab autoie Eulogii. 



30 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 



LETTER X. 

Henry of Scharisbrec^ Lieutenant of Conway Castle^ 
to WiUiam Venables of Kindertofi Constable of 
Chester^ and Roger Brescy. 

[MS. COTTOK. MU8. B&IT. CLEOP. F. UI. foL 40 b. OHg.^ 

*^* Henry Sharesbrok, Esq. occun in the muster roll of the 3d of 
Henry the Fifth, as ftimishing two horsemen beside himself in the expe- 
dition to France. 

This and the four succeeding Letters were probably written about 
1 404. Stowe, under that year, says, '' All the sunmier Owen Glendouerdev 
and his Welshmen rob, bume, and destroy the countries adjoyning unto 
them. He tooke many captives ; and slew many Englishmen. He laid 
flat certain castles, and some he kept for his own defence." * 



Ryght worschipful Sirs I comand me to zow lawly, 
dissyryng euirmore to here of zoure worschipe, the 
whyche I pray to Grod euyrmore encrese. Worschepful 
Sirs if hit lyke zow to wete the abot^ of Conway has 
send wort to some of the godmen c of the ton & to me, 
how that ther ame comyn vi Schippis owte of Fraunce 
in to Llene w^ wyn & specery ful ladyn. Wherfore, 
worschepful Sirs, wold ze voche saue^ to send word to 
my lord or to his consayl therof, if thai wil oght ordayn 
for hom; for worschepful Sirs, vs thynke that and 
thay wer takyn hastyly hit wer grete profyt, in a gret 
abayschynge to oure enmyes* Worschepful Sirs, the 

» Annales, p. S30. edit. 1681. *> abbat 

<- good men. * vouchsafe. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 81 

Holy Gost kepe zow in hon's. Wrytyn at Conwey the 
xxvj day of Feuyrzer. 

Be HENE. OF SCHAEISBEEC 

Leyieiumt to Sir John 
ofBolde at Coiiway* 



LETTER XL 



WMiami Venables ofKinderton cmd Roger Brescy^ to 
the King^ upon the capture of the Constable of 
Harlech Cattle, 

[ms. cottok. cleop. f. III. foL 39 b. Orig^X 



Teesexcellent et tresredoute Seigneur liege, nous 
recomandons a voire Excellencie oue toutz maneres 
services et subjections. Et pleise a votre roial Ma- 
gestee entendre que ycy lundy darrein passee a haut 
nuyt Roger de Bolton receivor dfe Denbiegh nous 
envoia parole par un vallet que le Conestable de Har- 
delagh en Northgales et deux valletz ovesque lui sont 
pris par les Gales et amesuez a Oweyn de Glyndour, 
«t que le Chastell est en grand peril que Dieu pour sa 

Translation, . 

Most exoelleDt and dread sovereign Lord, We recommend ourselves to your 
Excellency in all manner of services and subjections. And may it please your Royal 
Majesty to be informed that on Monday last, in the dead of night, Roger de Bolton, 
receiver of Denbigh, sent us word, by a servant, that the Constable of Hardelagh in 
North Wales, and two servaqts with him, have been taken by the Welsh and car- 
ried to Owen de Glyndowr, and that the Castle is in great jeopardy, which Ood in 



S2 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

mercie la sauve. qar a ce qil nous ad certifie y ne sont 
paas deinz mesme le Chastell forsq^ cynk homines 
Engleys et bien entour xyj. hommes Gales. Paront 
pleise a votre treshaute Excellencie, par avis de votre 
tressage Conseil, eut ordeigner remedie del que pleiser 
soil a votre trespuissant Seigniorie. £t la hautisme 
Trinitee, notre tressouveraigne et tresredoute Seigneur 
liege, vous ottrois prosperitee et la victorie de touz voz 
enemys oue bone vie a long durer. Escr. a Cestr. le 
XV. jour de Janver. 

Voz poueres lieges et subgitz, 

WILLIAM vENABLEs de Kifiderton 

& ROG. BRESCY.a 

Trantlatioru 

his mercy avert ; for according to what he states* there are in the Castle no more 
than five Englishmen and about sixteen Welshmen. Wherefore may it please your 
high Excellency, by the advice of your wise Council, to ordain such remedy as shall 
be most pleasing to your most puissant Lordship ; and the high Trinity ."our most 
sovereign and most redoubted li^e Lord, grant you prosperity and victory over aQ 
your enemies* with a happy life long to continue. Written at Chester the 15th day 
of January. 

Your humble Ueges and sutigects, 

WILLIAM vsNABLBS of Kifiderton, 
and ROOEB bbescy. 



« William Vbnablks was the second son of Hugh baron of Kiriderton. He was 
constable of Chester castle, and deputy-warden of the Marches of Wales. His elder 
brother Sir Richard Venables, baron of Kinderton, being wounded and taken pri- 
soner was, with Sir Thomas Percy and several others, beheaded by King Henry the 
Fourth after the battle of Shrewsbury. See Walsingh. edit. 1672. p. 411. 

Of the Brbscy £unily* an account will be found in Ormerod'a Hist of Cheshire, 
vol. iii. p. 178. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. S3 



LETTER XII. 

William VenaMes and Roger Brescy to the King,, upon 
the second Assault of Caernarvon Castle by Owen 
Glyndowr and the French, 

[ms. cotton, cleop. f. III. foL 39 b. Orig,] 



Trespuissant et tresredoute Seigneur liege, nous 
nous recommandons a votre tressouvereigne Seigneur 
oue toutz maneres honeres et reverences. Et pleise 
a votre roial Magestee entendre que Robert Parys le 
puisne Conestable du Chastell de Caemarvan nous ad 
certifiee per un femme, a cause qil navoit homme ascun 
qi osa venir, ne hoihine ne femme null ose ascun lettre 
porter pour les rebelles Gales qe Oweyn de Glyndour 
ouesque les Fraunceys et tout son autre poair se tail- 
lent d'*assailler les ViUe et Chastell de Caemarvan, et a 
comniencer le jour de la fesance dicestes ovec esgynes, 
sowes, et laddres de tresgrand longure, et ne sont mie 

Translation, 

Most puissant and redoubted li^ge Lord* we recommend us to you sovereign Lord 
in all ways respectful and reverend. May it please your Royal Majesty to under- 
stand that Robert Parys the deputy constable of Caernarvon Castle has apprised us 
through a woman, because there was no man who dared to -come« for ndther man 
nor wonum dare carry letters on account of the rebels of Wales that Oweyn Glyn- 
dowr, with the French and all his other power, is preparing to assault the town and 
castle of Caernarvon, and to b^in this enterprise with engines, sowes,* and ladders 



* William of Malmesbury speaking of the engines which were used by the cru- 
saders at the siege of Jerusalem, in 1099, says " There was one which we call the 
Sow, the ancients Vinea ; because the machine, which is constructed of slight tim- 
bers; the roof covered with boards and wicker work, and the sides defended with 
undressed hides, protects those who are within it, who, after the manner of a sow, 
proceed to undermine the foundations of the walls." Sharpe's Will. Malmesb^ p. 441 1 

VOL. I. SER. 2. D 



34 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

deinz mesmes les Ville et Chastell en tout outre xxviij. 
hommes defensibles, q'*est trop petit force, qar y sont xj. 
de Ijes meillors hommes qestoient laxledeinz al darrein 
assege illeoques fait ore mortz, ascuns des plaies qils 
avoient a temps d*assaut a eux fait, et a^uns de pesti- 
lence, siqj les ditz Chastell et Ville sont en grand peril 
sicome le portor dicestes vous savera enformer par 
bouche, a qi pleise a votre hautesse doner ferme foi et 
credence, qar il sciet vous enformer de tout la veritee. 
Et luy toutpuissant Dieux vous ottrois, notre tre&- 
redoute Seigneur liege, prosperitee et bon exploit en- 
tres touz voz affairs. Et pleise a votre hautesse re- 
garder un lettre enclos dedeinz cestes quele Reignald 
de Baildon un des Gardeins de la Ville de Conewey 
nous envoia huy ce jour, touchant lestat de votre 
Seignorie de Northgales. Escr. a Cestre la xvj. jour 
de Januer. 

Voz poueres lieges 

WILLIAM VENABLES de Kytiderton 

& R06. BRESCY. 

Trantlation, 

oi great length ; and in the town and castle there are not in all more than twenty- 
tight fighting men, which is too small a force ; for eleven of the more aUe men who 
woe there at tiie last 8i^;e of the place are dead | some of the wounds they recdved 
at the time of the assault* and others of the plague ; so that the said castle and town 
are in imminent danger, as the bearer of this will inform you by word of mouth« to 
whom your HighneM will be pleased to give full faith and credence, as he can inform 
you most accurately of the truth. And may Almighty God grant to you, most re- 
doubted Lord, prosperity and success in all your undertakings. And please it to 
your Highness to look at a Letter, here enclosed, which R^;inald de Baildon, one 
of the Keepers of the town of Conway, has sent us this day* concerning the state of 
your Selgnory of Northwales. Written at Chester the I6th day of January. Your 
poorli^es 

WILLIAM VBNABLBS of Kindefton, 
and ROOBR brbscy. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 85 

LETTER XIII. 

Reynold of Bayldaii one of the Keepers of Conway to 
WiUiam Venables, Constable of Chester , and Roger 
Brescy. 

[mS. cotton. MUS. BRIT. CLEOP. F. III. foL 39. OrigJ] 



Worshipful Sirs I recomaunde me to zow with al 
my herte; doyng zow to wndirstonde that al Caer- 
naruan shire purposin hem in al the haste that thae 
mae for to go into the yle of Anglesey for to haue owte 
al the men & al the catel there, & for to bryng hit 
with hem into the mowntens,.leste Englishemen shulde 
be refreshitte therwith. Also the Frenshemen makyn 
al the ordenaunce that thae mae or can for to assaele 
the towne of Caemaruan in al the haste that thae mae, 
knowyng wel that the towne is more febil nowe then 
hit was the laste tyme that thae were before hit ; for- 
asmuche as a hepe of the bcste that were in Caemar- 
uan that tyme bene god betaghte sethin, and as hit 
semeth to me hit were nedeful that thae hade helpe in 
haste tyme. Ferthirmore hit was done me to witte 
this same dae be a mon of Kryketh for certen, that 
William Hunte Constabil of Hardelagh, opon teisdae 
that laste was, cam owte of the Castel for to trete with 
the rebell withowte any ostage laede in for hvm. And 
that the same tyme Robin of Holond, and othir with 

d2 



86 OEIGIKAL LETTERS. 

hym, the wheche toke Jankyn Euor, laede honde opon 
the same William & lad hym awae, & two zemen with 
hym ; one, Jak Mercer, & that othir Harry Baker. 
Arid what thae did with hem I connot sae at this tyme. 
Also Fevian Colier is full seke, gif he be on life ; And 
mony of the sowdiors bene dede there of the pestelence, 
and sum drevyn owte amonge the rebell, and sum gone 
into Englond, and sum slaene in the wae toward Eng- 
lond. But Sir Lewes & the remenant of the sowdiors 
kepyn the Castel welynogh yet. Also wil ze witt6 
that the sowdiors there tokjm the keis of the Castell 
from the same constabil for sum thinges that thae 
fonde with hym ; and tokyn him to Fivean & to sir 
Lewes for to have hem in kepyng al this qwarter of a 
zere gone. Wherfore I beceche zow hertly that ze 
wil sende wamyng to my lord in al the haste that ze 
mae wel, towching the maters before saede, so that my 
lorde mae be aviset whatte is best to do thereof. Also 
dure sirs I dar sae to zow in councel that I durste lae 
my hede thaj and there were two hundret men in 
Conowey, and two hundret in Caemaruan^ abiding 
there from condilmesse in til the feste of sa3mt Ph. and 
Jacob, that the commuyns of Caen'*shire wold3m cum to 
pees, and pae hor duitis to my lord as wel as *eyir thae 
diddyn ; and zif hit be tariet til sumyr hit wil not be 
solightly, for then the rebell mae lie withowte, & so 
thae mae not nowe. Also I have herde my selfe mony 
of the gentilmen 8c of the commyns of IWyonnyth 



OUIGINAL LETTERS. 37 

• 

shire & of Caem'shire swere that al men of the for- 
saede shirs exepte fowre or five gentilmen & afewe 
vacaboundis, woldin faene cum to pees so that Englishe- 
men were lafte in the cuntre for to helpe to kepe hom 
from mysdoers, and namely for to cum into the cuntre 
whil the weddir were colde. And hit semeth to niony 
men hit were bettyr that suche a cumpany were in the 
cuntre for to make leve* of my lord is dette, & for to 
take hor wagys of the same dette, then for to lette the 
rebell haue al. More con J not write at this tyme, 
but God that is heuen king have zow in his holy 
kepyng. Writtyn in hast at the ton of Conowey the 
settirdae nexte aftyr the feste of the Epiphanie. 

Zor poure servant 

REYNALD OF BAYLDON 

one of' the Keperz of Conowey. 



LETTER XIV. 

Henry of Schariahrec to William VenabUs and Roger 
Brescy^ that Owen Glyhdowr was likely to get pos- 
session of Harlech Castle. 

[ms. cottok. hus. bbit. cleop. f. III. foL 40b. Orig.] 



WoRSCHEPFUL Siris if hit like zow to wete ther is a 
lytil mon w* Hawel Vaghaji that was takyn when the 



levy. 



38 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

constabuU of Hardlagh wos takyn, & is sworne to 
A wyn"^ agaynis his will, & he has sendy s vs word priuy ly 
how his may sty r has word for soche that Awyn^ has 
byen at Hardlagh & is accordit with all the men that 
ame theiime save vij, for to have diljrverance of the 
Castell at a certayn day for a certayn some of gold, & 
the day is in ryght hasty tyme hot he wot not when, & 
bot if hit be ryght sone ordajnit fore hit is lost & so is 
all the countre ther aboute. Worschipful Sir, wil ze 
vouchesafe when ze hau oversen this, to send hit to my 
maystir Sir John of Bolde, and makis ordinance as zo 
thenke be to do. Worschipful Sirs the holy Trinite 
kepe zow. Wrytyn in grete hast at Conway the xxvi 
day of feuyrzer. 

From 

HENR. OF SCHARISBREC. 



LETTER XV. 



Henry Prince of Wales to his Father King Henry the 
Fourth upon further successes against the Parti- 
zans ofGlyndowr, 

[ms. cottok. cleof. f. III. foL 59. Orig,] 

*^* The original of this Letter was printed by Rymer,'* and imper- 
fectly translated by Mr. Luders in his Tract on ihe early life of Henry 
the Fifth ; who from misunderstanding two words in it, concdyed that 
there was an omission of a sentence. 

• Owcii. »> Feed. torn. viii. p. 390. 



O&IGINAL LETTERS. 39 

Carte, in his History of England, yol. ii. p. 665, speaking of Henry 
the Fourth's expedition into tVales in 1405, after his return from 
Northumberland, thus notices the Victory mentioned in the Letter. 

'' Prince Henry, his eldest son, had paved the way for his success, by 
a considerable victory, which he had gained in the beginning of this year, 
on March 11th, over Griffith, the eldest son of Owen Glyndomxlwy ; 
who had sent him with an army of eight thousand men into Glamorgan- 
shire. They had come to an engagement at Mynydh Pwlwellin, near 
Grosmont in Monmouthshire: and Griffith, after a sharp action, had been 
defeated, with the loss of eight hundred of his men slain on the spot, and 
about as many more, himself one of the number, taken prisoners. Among 
the dead bodies was found one, which much resembled Owen, and this 
gave occasion to a current report that he was slain : but it appeared after- 
wards to be the corpse of his brother Tudor, who was so very like him, 
that they had been often taken for one another, and were hardly to be 
distinguished, but by a wait which Owen had over one of his eyebrows. 
The report, however, disheartened the Welsh exceedingly : and the people 
of Glamorgan made their submission; except a few who repaired to 
Owen, when they had intelligence of his being alive." * 



MouN tresredoubte et tressovereign Seigneur et 
Piere, le plus humblement que eh mon cuer je scey 
penser me recomande a votre roiale Majestee, humble- 
ment requerant votre graciouse benison. Mon tres- 
redoute et tressoverein Seigneur et Piere, je supplie 
vraiement que Dieu monstre graciousement pour vous 
son miracle en toutes parties, loez soit il en toutes ses 
oeures ; car mescredy, le xj. jour de cest present ihoys 

Trantlation* 

My most redoubted and most sovereign Lord and Father in the most humble 
manner that in my heart I can devise I recommend me to your royal Majesty, hum- 
bly requesting your gracious blessing. My most redoubted and most sovereign Lord 
and Father, I sincerely pray that Ood will graciously show his miraculous aid toward 
you in all places; praised be he in all his works ; for on Wednesday the deventh of 



* Carte has not named his authcnrity for these particulars: he probably quotes 
Wynne. 



40 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

de Mars vos rebclx des parties de Glomorgan, Mor- 

gannok, Uske, Netherwent, et Overwent, feurent as- 

semblez a la nombre de oyt Mil gentz par leure 

aconte demesne. Et s^en alerent le dit mescredy, par 

matyn, et arderent part de votre Ville de Grosmont 

dedeinz votre Seigneurie de Monmouth et Jennoia. 

Tantost hors moun trescher cousin le Sire de Talbot, 

et mon petit meigne de mon hostel, et a eux assemble- 

rent vos foialx et vaillans chivalers William Neuport 

et Johan Greindre, lesqueux ne feurent q'un tres 

petit povoir en tous : mes il est bien voirs que la Vic- 

toir^ n^est pas en la multitude de poeple, et ce feut 

bien monstre illeoques, mes en la puissance de Dieu. 

Et illoeques, par Paide de la benoite Trinitee, voz 

Gens avoient le champe, et vainquerent tous les ditz 

rebelx, et occirent de eux par loiall aconte en la champ 

a leure revenue de la chace aucuns dient viij C. et 

aucuns dient Mil, sur peine de lour vie ; nientmeins, 

soit il Tun ou Pautre, en tiel aconte, je ne vuille pas 

contendre. 

Translation, 

this present month cf March your rebels of the parts of Glamorgan, Morgannok, 
Usk, Netherwent, and Overwent, assembled to the niunber of eight thousand men 
according to their own account And they went on the same Wednesday, in the 
morning, and burnt a part of your town of Grosmont within your Lordship of Mon- 
mouth and Jennoia. Presently were out my welbeloved cousin the Lord Talbot and 
the small body of my household, and with them joined your faithful and valiant 
knights William Newport and John Greindre, the which formed but a small power 
in the whole : but true it is indeed that Victory is not in the multitude of people, and 
this was well proved there, but in the power of God. And there, by the aid of the 
blessed Trinity, your people gained the field and vanquished all the said rebels, and 
slew of them by fair account in the field, by the time of their return from the punuit« 
some say eight hundred others a thousand, being questioned upon pain of death : 
neverthdess whether it were one or the other I will not contend. 



ORIGINAL LETTKES. 41 

Et pour vous enformer pleinement de tout cest fait, 
je vous envoie une homme de credence en ce cas, mon 
loiall serviteur, le pourt or decestes, qui feut a le fait 
et fist tresagreablement son devoir, si comme il fait a 
tout temps. £t tiels amendes Dieu vous a ordenne 
pour Tarsure de quatre maisons de votre surdite Ville : 
et prisoners ne feurent pris forsque un, qui feu un 
grant chieftejni entre eulx, luy quel je vous voudroie 
avoir envoie, mes il ne poet chivacher uncore a son aise. 

Et touchant la gouvemance quele je me propose 
afiaire apres cestes, plese a votre hautesse adjouster 
ferme credence a le portour de cestes en ce qu'il mon- 
strera a mesme votre hautesse de ma part. Et pri a 
Dieu qu'il vous sauve tousdys en joie et honneur, et 
moy dojnit pour vous solacer en haste avec autres 
bonnes nouvelles. 

Escrit a Hereford le dit mescredy deinz nuyt. Votre 
treshumble et obeissant filz 

HENEY. 

Au Roy mon tresredoute et ires ^ 

souverein Seigneur et Piere. 

Translation, 

And to infonn you fully of all that has been done, I send you a person worthy of 
credit therein my fiiithflil servant the bearer of this letter who was at the engagement 
and performed his duty well, as he has always done. And such amends has God 
ordahied you for the burning of four houses in your aforesaid town : and of prisoner* 
were none tak^i except one, a great chieftain among them, whom 1 would have sent 
to you but that he is not yet able to ride at ease. 

And concerning the governance which I propose to make after this, may it please 
-your Highness to give confident credence to the bearer of these in what he will lay 
before your Highness on my part. And I pray God to keep you always in joy and 
honour, and to grant me shortly to comfort you with other good news. 

Written at Hereford the said Wednesday at night Your most humble and obe- 
dient son 

HSNRV. 

To the King my most redoubted and most 
sovereign Lord and Father. 



42 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

Such are the Letten, hitherto, with one exception, unknown, iriiich 
illustrate the History of Owen Oljndowr. 

The genius of this extraordinary chieftain has heen already mentioned 
as adapted more to rapine than to regular warfiue. One instance only 
occurs in these letters in which he used military engines when besieging 
a fortress. The mischief which he did to Wales in the short period of 
fifteen years was incalculable. 

Leland, in his Itinerary, has recorded a few instances of his depreda* 
tions. '^ Montgomericke, deflorischid by Owen Glindour.** * **• Radenor 
partely destroicd by Owen Glindour, and the voice is there that, an he 
wonne the Castel, he tooke a thre score men that had the garde, and 
causid them to be heddid on the brinke of the Castel yarde.*'*' At 
Comehere abbey, ^^ all the Howse was spoiled and defaced be Owen 
Glindour.'* <^ *'*' The people about Dinas did bume the Castel there that 
Ocnc Glindour shuld not kepe it for his fouteres."** " The toun of the 
Hay within the waullcs is wonderfully decaied. The mine is adscribed 
to Oene Glindour." « Beside these, the towns of Cardif, Abergavenny, 
Grosmont, Usk, and Pool, the bishop's castle and the archdeacon's house 
at lilandaf, with the cathedrals of Bangor and St. Asaph, were all, eithgr 
in part or wholly, victims of his rage. The List might be much aug- 
mented by turning to our Historians. ' 

Previous to the revolt of the Perdes, Henry the Fourth's own warfare 
against Glyndowr was remarkably unsuccessftd : so much so, that his 
failure was universally ascribed to the arts of witchcraft: 

" The King had never but tempest foule and nine. 
As long as he was ay in Wales groiinde ; 
Rockes and Mystes, Winds and Stormes, certaine 
All men trowed Witches it made that stounde." s 

• Leland, Itte. vol. v. fol. 8. «> IWd. and voL viL p. i. fol. ST. 

c Ibid. foL 16. <> Ibid. foL 69. • Ilnd. fol. ts. 

' At Cardif, as we are informed by Lelaiid firom an ancient chronicle, Glyndowr 
burnt the whole town, except the Street in which the Franciscans dwell: " quern, 
amore fratrum cum Conventu stark pbrmisit. Cepit insuper Castrum, et de- 
struxit, multasque divitias ibi reppsitas abstulit Et cum Fratres Minores peterent 
ab 60 libros suos et calices, quos in Castro deposuerantt respondit, * Quare posuistis 
▼estra bona in Castro ? Siea retinuiaaetis apud voa, salva vobis fuissent,* " Lei. 
CoUectan. torn. IL p. 818. From a previous passage it should seem that the Francis- 
cans were at least suspected of contributing money to support Glindowr's cause. 
A. D.. 1402. " Fama publica erat Fratres Minores misisse magnam summam pe- 
cuniae Audoeno Glindour, ut in Angtiam veniret,** The Franciscans had been long 
favourable to the cause of Richard the Second. That monarch, in his last distress, 
had assumed their halnt as a disguise. 

s Hardyng's Chron. edit. 1812, p. 860.. So Walsingham, ed. 1674, p. 40T. A. D. 
1402. " Rex Angliae ante festum assumptionls S. Marise, collectis exercitibus, pro- 
fectiu est in Waliiam ad persequendum Owenum de Glendor, sed nihil profiiit 
tantas armorum strepitus, cum Wallicus in nota latibula se recepit, qum potius 
(ut putatur) art emagica rbobm pene perdidit, cum exercitu quern ducebat, per 
pluvias, nives, et grandincs (ut creditur) arte diaboliat coneitatas,** 



OEIGINAL LETTERS. ' 43 

The Monk of Eyeaham, speaking of Henry's second expedition, says, 
that he could never find Olyndowr : '' Ipsum vero Glyndor nee vibit, 
nee ubi esset aliqvid audivit." » 

The tacticks, however, which suited the savage fitstnesses of Wales 
were no longer either profitable or expedient when Henry was really to be 
met by a powediil combination in the field. Glyndowr missed the ad* 
tical moment. Had he joined his forces to those of Sir Henry Percy at 
the battle of Shrewsbury, there seems ground to believe that Henry the 
Fourth must have been defeated. <> 

Owen tried to repair the oversight by introducing French auxHiaiies, 
who arrived sometime in 1405, and for a while upheld his cause ; but, 
though successful, they found little to be gained by remaining in a ra- 
vaged country. They left him to drag his war out upon his own re- 
sources. <^ 

The remainder of OljOidowr's life was distinguished by few exploits. 
He maintained his resistance without being really formidable. At one 
time he certainly struck a panic into England. From the MS. of the 
Historia Aurea of John of Tinmouth, in the Library of Corpus Christi 
College, Cambridge, we learn that the following miserable hexameter 
was inscribed upon the wall at the end of the Monk's Choir of St. 
Alban's Abbey : 

" Christe Dd splendor, supplioo tibi destrue Gleendor." * 

Glyndowr*s death is usually placed in 1415. 

> Vita Ric. II. ed. Heame. 

i> There m a very curious Letter in old French, in the volume which has been so 
often quoted, fitom Sir John de Stanley to King Henry the Fourth, dated July 80th. 
probably in 1406. It seems to have been written after the King had had some 
suooess against the Welsh, an aeooimt of which he had commimicated to Sir John at 
Lathom House, in Lancashire. From it we leam that Glyndowr had summoned his 
ParUament, not at Melenyth but at Harlech, and, at that time, formed the hope 
of coming to a Treaty. He says, upon the day on which the King's Letters arrived, 
David Whitmore and Jevan ap Meredith, two of the most considerable persons of 
the County of Flint, came to him to talk upon the news of Wales : " Et auxi ils 
mont dit coment Owen de Glendoredes ad somone un Parleraent de present a 
Hardki^aoh Ion serront quatres des plus suffijsants pergones de t^tecun Comote 
parmy tout Gales soubz sa obbeisance esteantz, et auxi tres redoute Seigneur les dits 
David et Yevan mont dit qen taunt qils puissent savotr a ceUe temps que le dit Owen 
meisqil poet estre seure a son dit Parlement d'avoir trop fort poueir et graunde eide 
hors de Fraunoe, (7 sojf purpose dPenvoier a vous trespuissant Seigneur apres relle son 
Parlement atmuntdit, pour un trbitk ; et mesmes lez David et Yevan sont ales 
au dit Parlement pour eut savoir tout le purpos et exploit d'icelle et de moy reen- 
ocmtrer al Countee a tenir le marsdy proschien en Cestre pour moy eut certifier tout 
tavetiteet pourpos de dit Parlement" He signs himself '* Votre simple bacheler, si 
vous pleise, John de Stanley." No treaty was, however, entered into. 

• In 1406 the French made a slighter attempt to assist Glyndowr, with six and 
thirty vessels, the greater part of which were shipwrecked in a storm. Glyndowr's 
treaty with Charles the Sixth of France is printed in Rymer, from the Cottonian 
MS. Titus A. IH. 

* In the 8th Hen. IV. the people of South Wales were ordered by proclamation to 



44 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

At Corwen, the next stage beyond lilimgnilfn on the road to Bangor 
Fcny, the head of Qljndowr ii itill the dgn of the principal inn ; and 
its enTiiooa abound in traditions of the most marvellous kind relating to 
him. At Rug also, a mile from Conren, the seat of CoL Salusbury, his 
knife and dagger are shewn, preserved in one sheath. Numerous, how- 
ever, as are the traditions relating to Olyndowr in this district, they are 
confined to it. In other parts of Wales, particularly in the south, nothing 
is either known or remembered of him beyond the facts established by 
history. 



LETTER XVI. 



Richard Earl qf Cambridge to King Henry the Fifths 

a Letter (^Confession* , 

[ms. cotton, yesp. c. xiy. foL 391. Orig,^ 

*^* Richard of Conyngsburgh, second son of Edmund of Langley 
Duke of York, was high in the favour of King Henry the Fifth, who, in 
the second year of his reign, created him Earl of Cambridge. The next 



return to their desolated possesuons. Pat s Hen. IV. p. i, m.K. T. R. apud Westm. 
S MaiL Rymer's unpubl. Collections, MS. Donat. Mus. Brit. 4698. 

From a Roll of the second year of Henry the Fifth it appears that in the lOth 
Hoi. I Vth. John Lord Fumival, who went at that time with two hundred men toward 
Carnarvon, was stopped at Shrewsbury, John Weole, Esquire, the constable of the 
castle and town of Shrewsbury, shutting the gates against them in favour qfCiyn- 
dowr. Rym. Collect, ut supr. 4699, art SO. 

In the iith Hen. I Vth. 1409, an action of some extent must have taken place, since 
in October that year the following Wdsh prisoners were received at Windsor Castle. 
Ho. ap Jevan ap Howell, Walther ap Jevan Vethan, Rys ap Jevan ap Rys, Jevan 
Got ap Morgan, David ap Tudor, Rys ap Meredyd, Madok Beig, Jenkyn Badier, 
David ap Cad, and Thomas Dayler. Rym. Foed. tom. viii. p. 699. Claus. 11 Hen. IV. 
m. ST. 18 Oct In the same year, says Leiand, '* Rise ap Die, an esquier of Wales, 
and a supporter of Owen Glendowr, was taken and hanged at London." In this year 
also the Officers of the Marches of Wales entered into a truce with Owen, which the 
King refused to confirm. Rym. Foed. tom. viii. p. 611. Pat 11 Hen. IV. 23 Nov. 

In the 13th Hen. I Vth. we have the King's Letters to Richard Gray of Codnore, 
constable of Nottingham Castle, to deliver to the constable of the Tower of London 
Gryff. ap Owein Gleudourdy and Owan ap Gryff. ap Ricard, his prisoners, dated 
31st March ; with another Letter to the constable of the Tower to receive them. 
Rym. unpubl. Collect MS. Donat Brit Mus. 4699, art lOO. firom Glaus. 13 Hra. IV. 
m. 18. 

In the 18th of Hen. I Vth. we have the King's licence to John Tiptoft seneschal of 
Brecon, and William Botiller receiver of Brecon, to treat with Owen for the ransom 
of David Gamme. T. R. Westm. 4 Jun. 1413. Rym. Foed. torn. viii. p. T68. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 45 

year, A. D. 1415, while the King was mustering his forces at South- 
ampton preparatory to an expedition against France, he was accused of a 
treasonable conspiracy, indicted, convicted, and beheaded. The following 
Letter was his confession ; that which succeeds it, his later supplication 
for life: but neither had any effect upon Henry. The conspiracy to 
which they relate was the first spark of that flame which, in the course of 
time, consumed the two Houses of Lancaster and York. Richard Earl 
of Cambridge was the father of Richard Duke of York, and the grand- 
father of King Edward the Fourth. 

This, and the succeeding Letter of the Earl of Cambridge, have been 
given by Rymer : but the Editor still thought the insertion of them de- 
sirable here, on account of their connection with other Letters, which 
will be given in the reign of Edward the Fourth. 



My most dredfuUe and sovereyne lege Lord, lyke 
to yowre hynesse to wete touchyng the purpose cast 
ageyns zowre hye estat. Havyng ye Erie of Marche 
by his aune assent, and by the assent of myself, Wher 
of y most me repent of al worde ^ thyng, and by the 
acord of the lord Scrop aftd Sir Thomas Grey, to have 
hadde ye forseyd erle into the lond of Walys wyth 
outjm yowre. lycence, takyng upon hym the soverejnite 
of zys lond; zyf yondyr manis persone wych they 
calljni kynge Richard hadde nauth bene alyve, as y 
wot wel yat he nys not aljnre, for the wyche pojmt i 
putte me holy in zowre grace. And as for ye forme of 
a proclamacyon wych schulde hadde bene cryde in ye 
Erie name, as he^ heyre to the Corowne of Ynglond 
ageyns zow, my lege lord, calde by auntreu^ name 
Harry of Lancastre usurpur of Yngland, to the entent 
to hadde made the more people to hadde draune to 

• worldly. •» the. « untnic. 



46 OBIGIKAL LETTERS. 

hym and fro zow, of the wych crye Scrop knew not of 
by me, but Grey dyd, havyng wyth the erle a baner 
of ye Armes of Yiiglond, havjmg also ye coroune of 
Speyne on a palet, wych, my lege Lord, is one of zowre 
weddys, for ye wych offence y put me holy in zowre 
grace. And as for ye p'pose takjni by Unfrevyle and 
Wederyngtoun for ye bryngjnig in of that persone wych 
they namyd kyng Richard, and Herry Percye oute of 
Scotland wyth a power of Scottys, and theyre power 
togedjrrs semjmg to theyme able to geve zow a bataylle, 
of ye wych entent Sir Thomas Grey wyst of, and i also, 
but nauth Scrop as by me; of ye wych knawyng i 
submy tte me holy into zowre grace. And as for the 
takyng of zowre castelles in Walys, Davy Howell made 
me be host, so there were asteryng in ye north ; of ye 
wych poynt i putte me haly in zowre grace. And as 
touchyng the Erie of Marche, and Lusy hys man, they 
seydyn me both yat the Erie was nauth schreven of 
a great whyle, but at all hys confessours putte hym in 
penaunce to clayme yat yey callyddjni hys ryth that 
wod be that tyme that every iknew, heny thyng yat 
ever to h)rm longyd . . 

Of ye wych poynttes and artycles here befor wretyn, 
and of al odyr wych now ame nauth in mjmde, but 
treuly as oft as heny to myn m3mde fallyn i schal 
deuly and treidy certefye zow ther of, besekjmg to 
zow, ray lege Lord, for hys love yat suffyrd passyoun 



OBI6INAL LETTERS. 47 

on ye good fryday so have zee conpassyoun on me 
zowre lege man, and yf heny of thes persones whos 
names arne contenyd in zys bylle, woldyn contrary y^ 
substaunce of yat i have wretyn at zys tyme, i schalle be 
redy wyth the myth of God to make hyt good, as zee 
my lege Lord wille awarde me. 



The particulars of the Earl of Cambridge's Indictment are in the 
Rolls of Parliament, vol. iv» p. 64. in Latin. The Lansdowne MS. 
Num. I. art 27) contains the substance in English, apparently abstracted 
from the Record in the time of Queen Elizabeth : with the following 
observations at the end. 

'' It dothe not appere in all this Ind3rtemente anye Treason by any acte 
otherwise then by conspjnracye in wordes, and as touchinge the deathe of 
the kinge and his bretheren the same semeth to be gathered uppon the 
circumstances of the mattiers and thinges consp3rred and devised to have 
bene done, whiche ji they had bene so attempted and executed jt wolde 
but tende to the destrucdon and deathe of the kinge and his bretheren. 
And why the compassinge of the deathes of the kinges bretheren shoidde 
be adjudged Treason may be thoughte straunge, for although Thomas 
duke of Clarence, the eldest brother of the three, and, for that the kinge 
had then no child nor was ever maryed, was his heire apparante, yet that 
ys not conteyned within the Statute of 25 Edw. III. where the ymagyn- 
inge of the death of the kinges eldest sonne and heire ys declared to be 
Treason, not makinge mencion of anye other yonger sonne of the kinge 
nor of anye the kinges bretheren. But yt semeth that Statute ys largely 
expounded and that th'eldest brother of the kinge, by equitye of the same 
Statute, may be taken in place of the eldest sonne of a kynge where there 
ys no sonne, and so the Judges in those dayes dyd take the same Statute 
and dyd so expounde yV 



»> 



48 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 



LETTER XVII. 

Richard Earl of Cambridge to King Henry the Fifth; 
suAngjbr niercy after his condemnation, 

[M8. cotton. YESPA8. F. III. foL 7* Orig,^ 



Myn most dredfull and sovereyne lege Lord, i Ri- 
chard York zowre humble subgyt and very lege man, 
beseke zow of Grace of al maner offenses wych y have 
done or assentyd to in heny kynde, by steryng of odyr 
folke eggyng me yer to, where in y wote wel i have, 
hyll offendyd to zowre Hynesse ; besech3mg zow at the 
reverence of God yat zpw lyke to take me in to the 
handys of zowre mercyfulle and pytouse grace, thenk- 
yng zee wel of zowre gret goodnesses My lege Lord, 
my fuUe trust is yat zee wylle have consyderacyoun, 
thauth^ yat myn persone be of none valwe, zowre hye 
goodnesse wher God hath sette zow in so hye estat to 
every lege man yat to zow longyth plenteousely to 
geve grace, yat zow lyke to accept zys vayn symple 
reqwest for ye love of oure Lady and of ye blysfulle 
Holy Gost, to whom I pray yat yey^ mot zowre hert 
enduce to al pyte and grace for yeyre^ hye goodnesse. 

•though. b they. 'their. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 49 

Processes, in early times, where the necessity of getting rid of a 
courtier was thought to exist, were short. Some were even more sum- 
mary than that against the Earl of Cambridge. The Cottonian Manu- 
script Julius F. vi. fol. 80. contains some Proceedings in a Parliament 
held at Leicester in the 2d of Hen. Vth. conceiving the reyersing of the 
attainder of the Earl of Salisbury, who, by an oversight of the Conunons, 
was not tried till after his execution. For the details of this remarkable 
fact the reader may consult the Rolls of Parliament, voL iv. pp. 17? 1& 

In the Harleian Manuscript 5805, foL 323. is a representation of Ri- 
chard of Coningsburgh Earl of Cambridge from a window, now gone, in 
Canterbury Cathedral ; put up about 1414. Probably this is the only 
Portrait of him known. On his surcoat over his armour, are the Arms 
of France and England : 1 and 4. France ; 2. 3. England ; a bordure of 
Leon r and a label of the Dukedom of York. A chaplet of roses and 
crosses on his head. 

There is a muster roll of the Army of Henry the Fifth in this his first 
Voyage to France, preserved among Rymer*8 unprinted Collections in the 
British Museum, which must have been taken at Southampton, as the 
Earl of Cambridge occurs in it, with a personal retinue of two knights, 
fifty-seven esquires, and a hundred and sixty horse archers. The Duke 
of Clarence brought in his retinue one earl, two bannerets, fourteen 
knights, two hundred and twenty-two esquires, and seven hundred and 
twenty horse archers. The Sum of the Roll includes 2536 men at anns ; 
4128 horse archers; 3771 foot archers; thirty-eight arblesters; 120 
miners; twenty-five master gunners; fifty servitor-gunners; a stufier 
of bacinets; twelve armourers; three kings of arms; Mr. Nicholas 
Colnet, physician, who brought thiee archers ; twenty surgeons ; an im- 
mense retinue of labourers, artizans, fletchers, bowyers, wheelwrights, 
chaplains, and minstrels. The total of the %hting persons amounting 
to 10731. These were the men who gained the field of Azineourt. 



VOL. I. SKR. 2. E 



60 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 



LETTER XVIII. 

Thomas Langley Bishop ofDurharriy to King Henry 
the Fi/ihy upon the Ki/ng's money y jewels^ S^c. 
deposited in the Church of Durham. 

[m8. cottow. vesp. r. xni. foL 29. Orig,] 

*«* Thomas Langley, afterwaids Cardinal, was consecrated Bishop 
of Durham August 8th, 1406. He died July 8th, 1457. His designa- 
tion of himself as Priest of Durham, was one frequently used by Bishops 
in early times. A Letter to King Henry the Eighth will be hereafter 
given, in which the Bishop of London stiles himself ^^ your S3rmple Priest 
and Bedeman.** In Latin the Bishops often stiled themselves, in the 
same manner, *'*' ministri.*' * 

The mention in this Letter of the death of the Prior of Durham ascer- 
tains its date. John de Hemingburgh Prior of Durham died in 1416. 
He was succeeded in that office by John d&Wessington, who is likewise 
alluded ta ^ 

The main subject of this Letter deserves a short comment No chest 
or other instrument, containing gold, silver, or jewel, charter, muniment, 
or other evidences, which ^' had been left to keep,*' were to be re- 
moved till the new Prior had been spoken to. 

In a Note of Cardinal Beaufort, printed in the former Series of these 
Letters, it was shewn that his wealth was in-his confers locked and sealed. 
The Monasteries however, as in this instance, even in times considerably 
earlier, were the safest places of deposit Toward the dose of the 
twelfth century the Jews of St. Edmondsbury placed their treasure in 
the Abbey there, under the care of the Sacrist. <^ Stowe tells us that when 
Henry the Third seized the wealth of Hubert de Burgh earl of Kent, in 



• In a charter printed in the new edition of Diigdale's Monastioon, voL ii. p. S9S 
Robert bishop of Bath calls himself " Robertus Bathon. ecd. nUnister." CsJFdinal 
Langton, also, in an Insttiunent in which he recites and publishes Pope Honorius's 
Bull in favor of the Cistercian Order in 1226, stiles himself in a similar manner " S. 
permissione divina Cantuar. Ecclesiae minister humilis, totius Angliae Primas, et 
Sacrse Romans Ecclesic Cardinalis." Cart, antiq. Harl. T5 A. 14. 

*> Compare Wharton, Angl. Sacra. 

« See Jooelyne de Brakelond's Chron. MS. Harl. lOOS. fol. iss. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 51 

1232, he found it placed in deposit with the Master of the Temple in 
Fleet Street.* M^en Sir Sampson Foliot died, in 1284, it appeared 
that he had deposited his riches in the Abbey of Oseney near Oxford.^ 
Sir John Fastolf also, in the reign of Henry ihe Sixth, as we learn from 
the Inventory of his wealth, out of 2643/. of ready money, kept more 
than 2000/. in the Abbey of St. Benet Huhne. 

Nor were Monasteries places of deposit for money only. From an 
entry in the Chartulary of Gafendon Abbey in Leicester^ire we learn 
that that Monastery was a depositary for the title deeds of at least one of 
the neighbouring lords. '^ Memorandum quod die Sabbati proxima ante 
festum Potentianse Virginis, anno Domini Millesimo CCC.xxYii™<>. £d- 
mundus deEssheby senescallus domini Henrici de Bellomonte, etRlcaidus 
Deryng dericus ejusdem domini, ceperunt de bursaria de Oerendonia 
omnes cartas quas fuerunt domini Hugonis de Spencer de manerio de 
Lutzborowe, videlicet duas cistas plenas ; et eas secum, de Domo 
praedicta, pdrtavenmt ad opus domini Henrici." <^ 



SovEREYN Lord, with als ^^ meke and entier hert as 
I kan or may I recomande me to youre roial Majeste, 
to the whiche plaise it to wite that on Monday at nyght 
last passet I have receyvet youre fulworsehipfull Let- 
tres, by the tenure of the whiche it hath liket yow to 
let me wite how ye be enformed that with inne youre 
Churche of Duresme, under the warde of two monkes 
of the Churche, and the last Priour that ded is, and of 
a man that is clepet Mydeltone, ther shulde be certein 
thyng that to yowe apperteneth, as it is more specialy 
writen in yowre said Lettres. 

The whiche youre Lettres by me receyvet and un- 
derstanden the said Monday atte nyght, I have on 

« Survey of Lond. edit. 1603. p. 402. 

t> R%. Pecheham, archiep. Cantuar. fol. 307 b. 

' Chartul. Abb. Garendon, MS. Lansd. Brit. Mus. fol. 38. 

«• aR. 



e2 



5S ORIGINAL LETTEBS. 

Tysday in the momyng ordeynct a sufficient persone, 
that with your message and tho enformer that come 
with hym, is goen in al godely hast to youre said Kirk 
of Duresme, ther to charge on your behalve the Priour 
that now is, that out of the said Churche ne Priory be 
not rem wet ^ ne delyveret no kist ne othir instrum^it 
that may cotene^ gold, sylver, or juell, chartre, muni- 
ment, or othir evydences that ther has bene left to 
kepe, til the forsaid Prior and I may speke to gedir ; 
and more to that matire have I noght mow do<^ as yet, 
but als sone as I may more do ye shall have wit3mg 
therof. As of tythyngs^ I kan no nothir write but 
suche as by myn othir Letteres I send yow by the 
berer of thes. Soverein Lord, the Holygost have yow 
in his kepying. Writen atte Pontfrect, this Thoresday 
in the mornyng. 

Youre humble Priest 

ofDuresmr, 

To 
Our Soverainge Lorde 
the Kyngc. 

•removed. ''ei^ntain. « more done. •> ti<ling!(. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 53 



LETTER XIX. 

Letter to Ki/nge Henry Vth in behalf of the Lord Fur- 
nyval Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. 

A.D. 1417. 
[ms. laxsd. 418. foL 85. out of the white book of the ex- 
chequer BURNT IK SIR FRAUKCES AXOIER8 CLOSET AT JACOB 
NEWBIAKS, ANNO 1610.] 

*«* The Annals of Ireland in the earliest period of its history are ob- 
scure ; nor are we acquainted with the details of its first connection with 
England. 

Giraldus Cambrcnsii is wrong when he states that, tiU the time of 
Henry the Second, Ireland had remained free from foreign incursion. * 
We have Bedels authority for its invasion by Egfrid king of Northumber- 
land, in 684 : and though the Charter which represents our Edgar as 
monarch of Ireland is usually considered spurious, yet other charters of 
unquestioned authenticity, of a date but little later, recognize its formule ; 
and we have coins both of Ethelred the Second and Canute, minted at 
Dublin. 

That the Conquest of Ireland was long an object of ambition with the 
Kings of England cannot be doubted ; and it is remarkable that it should 
have been planned by Henry the Second at the moment of his mounting 
the English throne. His compact with Pope Adrian the Fourth for the 
reduction of Ireland, is still preserved in Rymer, in a Latin Letter from 
the Pontiff. 

Like the formation of the Domesday Survey, the receipt of this Letter 
was considered as an epoch by the English. An original charter of John 
Earl of Ewe is extant, whidi concludes with these remarkable words : 
^^ Hsc autem cmicessio facta est Wincestriam eo anno quo verbwn fac^ 
turn est de Hibemia conquirenda. Hanc vero cartulam magister Mo- 
bertus fedt anno liiii. ab incamato Domino/' ^ 

But Henry could take no advantage of his grant till 1172, when 
having procured two additional Bulls from Pope Alexander the Third, 
one addressed to himself the other to the Kings and Princes of Ireland^ 
he entered upon the Invasion, and then followed the submission of the 
Irish. Henry landed at Waterford Oct. 18th, 1172, whence he pro- 
ceeded to Dublin and received the homage of the chieftains. 

John, son of Henry the Second, when Lord of Ireland, established 

* " Ab oinnt alicnarum gentium incursu libbba permansit et inconcussa.** 
>> Cart, antiq. Harl. Brit. Mus. S3 C. 25. 



54 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

Courts of Law, the jurisdiction of which was to extend to the limits of 
the English pale: the territory so designated fonning the counties of 
Dublin, 3feath, Kiidare, Lowth, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Cork, 
Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary. In what remained, which composed 
about two thirds of the Kingdom, the English influence was only nominal. 

On the intermediate History of Iidand, between the time of John and 
Henry the FifUi, we have no occasion to comment here. The wars of 
Edward the Third s1ark«Twd the activity of the English rule, and opened 
the way to those revolts whidi by detaining Richud the Sec(md in Ire- 
land at a critical moment, proved his ruin. It may suffice to say that 
Ireland in the reign of Henry the Fifth was as wild in its country and as 
rude in its inhabitants as in the reign of Henry the Second. The English 
pale, as will be seen in the present Letter, was little more than a garrison 
of territory. 

It may be curious to mention here that a band of sixteen hundred 
flM/hr Iruh armed with their own weapons of war, *■*■ in mail, with darts 
and skaynes," under the lord of Kylmaine, were with Henry the Fifth at 
the Siege of Rouen. They kept the way whidi came from the forest of 
Lyons. Hall says, they ^^ did so their devoyre, that none were more 
praised nor did more damage to their enemies.*** 

The Lord Fumivall mentioned in this Letter, was Sir John Talbot of 
Hallamshire, afterwards eari of Shrewsbury, so conspicuous as a warrior 
in the reign of Henry the Sixth. He was made Lieutenant of Ireland in 
the 1st o{ Henry the Fifth, and received the title of Lord Fumivall by 
courtesy through his wife. She was the eldest of the two daughters of 
Sir Thomas Nevil, who had married Joan the sole daughter and heiress 
of William the last Lord Fumivall. His exploits in Ireland seem wor. 
thy of record. He maintained an able government on scanty means. ^ 
His income for that purpose amounting to little more than two thousand 
six hundred pounds a year.^ 



RiGHTE excellente, righte gracious, and our righte 
redoubt and righte soveraiyne leige Lord, Wee doe 
recomend us unto your high royall Ma^^. soe humbly 
and obediently as any leige men may doe, in any man- 
ner, unto there soveraigne and redoubted leige Lord ; 

> See Hall, new edit. p. 83. 

b *' HiBN. Johanni domino de Furnyvall locumtenenli Hiberniae pro salva custodia 
Gjusdem a xxxo. die Januar. anno secundo usque primiun diem Augusti prox. sequen. 
pd dimidium annum 1333/. sj. 8</." MS. Cotton. Cleop. F. iii. fol. 141. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 55 

especiallie^ and above all other earthly thinges desiringe 
to heare and to knowe of the gracious prosperitie and 
noble health of your renowned person; the same beinge 
soe gracious and joyous newes as any can imagine or 
thinke to the principall comforte and especiall consola- 
tion of us and all your faythfuU subjectes ; and namely 
of us which are continuinge in a lande of warr, en- 
vironed by your Irishe Enimies and English Rebels in 
pointe to be destroied, if it weere not that the soveren 
ayde and comforte of Grod and of you our gracious 
Lord, did altogeatber releve us. And righte excellent, 
righte gracious, and righte redpubted and righte so- 
veraigne leige Lord, forsoe much as the ho.* lord 
the Lord of Furnyvale your faythfull subjecte and 
Liueten^ute of this yd^ lande of Ireland was purposed 
to departe from your land and to repayre to your high 
presence, to sue for his pa3rment which to him is be- 
hinde, for the safe keepinge of this your lande ; and 
wee, consyderinge the great destruction and disease 
which hath come unto this lande by his laste absence 
from us, and eschuinge greater that may come and are 
likely to falle uppon the same if he shoulde be absente 
at this presente tyme, wee have requested him in the 
behalfe of you our soveraigne Lord, and have suppli- 
cated unto him on our owne behalfes to attend heare, 
and not to departe, for the safetie of this yo^ lande 
and of yo^'. faythfull leiges in the same ; and wee to 

• honoured. ' . . 



56 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

write for him to your gracious person for his recom- 
mendacions for the greate chardges, laboures^ and tra- 
vclles, by him had and sustained in theise partes, and 
that he mighte have his said payment to the safety of 
the same your landes, and of your faythfull subjectes 
therin; wheruppon, our righte soveraigne Lorde, if 
it please you, wee doe signifie unto your Royall Ma^^'. 
and to others to whom it shall appertaine, the great 
laboures, travels, and endevoures made by your said 
Lifetenaunte heere after his firste arrivall in this land 
until! his laste rapaire to yo^. highe presence, and of 
other, after that, by him done. Firste your said Life- 
tenaunte, takeingunto him the advise of your Counsell 
on this side, and of other lords temporall, knightes, 
esquires, and other good commoners, made many 
greate jemies and hostinges uppon one of the strongest 
Irishe enimies of Leynstre, called O^More of Layse, a 
great cheefetaine of this Nation, by beinge in his con- 
try for six dayes and nightes twice, which was not done 
before in our tyme, and takeinge his cheefe place and 
goodes, buminge, forrageing, & destroyinge all his 
contry, his corne, and his other goodes, and buminge 
and breakinge certaine of his castles called the Castle 
of Colyndragh and the Castle of Shenneigh, and res- 
cuinge diveres English prisoneres there, beinge wthout 
payinge raunsome, and woundinge and killinge a 
greate multitude of his people, and made such ware 
uppon him that he was forced againste his will to 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 57 

make pcticion to have yo*". Peace by indenture, and to 
put his Sonne in pleadge into the handes of your said 
Livetenauntc, to keepe the peace safely, and to amende 
that wherin he had offended againste your faythfull 
subjectes ; and more over to serve & travell with your 
saidLivetenaunte uppon his waminge againstealllrishe 
enimies & Englishe rebelles at his commaundement; soe 
that by meanes thereof the said 0'*More come with two 
battayles, one foote & on horse, to serve uppon a stronge 
enimie & a cheefetaine of his nation called Mac Ma- 
hon, the distance of forty leagues from the partes of 
Layse, and he beinge with the same yo^. Livetenaunte, 
& under his safe conduit, and in ayde of him in the 
foresaid contry of Layse two other great cheefetaines 
of theire nations of Leynstre wth. theire people. That 

is to say O Bryun and O Rale shame and over- 

throwe of the warr against him may be continued which 
God graimte : and the said O Ferall and O Rale doe 
still contynue peticiones to enjoy your peace. And 
alsoe he roode againste Mac Mahone a greate Irishe 
enimie and a powrefull cheifetaine of his nation in 
the partes of Uluestre adjoyninge unto the County of 
Louth, and him did strongely invade Icmge t3rme by 
diveres laborious hostinges and jomeyes, some on foote, 
by sixteene leagues, and bumte & destroyed one of 
his cheife places, with all his townes & come abo.ute, 
& wounded & killed a greate multitude of his people, 
untill hce must of force yealde himselfe to your Peace 



58 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

& deliver divers English prisoners wthout ransome, 
which he and his people have taken, and that, he un- 
dertooke by indenture to travell with the same your 
Leiuetennant agaynst whatsoever enimie or rebell, upon 
his warning, in such sort that hee sentManus his brother 
with a great multitude of their people to serve uppoii 
that sayd Oc Conor which is forty myles & more from 
their country ; & also he rode agaynst O Hallon a 
greate cheiftayne of his nation and Irish enimie in the 
same partes of Ulster, & warred soe strongly upon him 
that hee was compelled by force to yeeld himselfe to 
your peace, and undertooke to ride agaynst all Irish 
enimies & English rebells at his pleasure, in such sort 
that he did serve with three hundreth men & more 
uppon the forsayd Mac Mahonne ; & after that disloy- 
ally rose up agayne in warres & distroyed your fayth- 
fuU leiges; and presently your sayd Leiuetennant 
theruppon ordeired divers great jomeys upon him m 
his country, where he burnt, forraged, & destroyed 
many therof & wounded & killed many of his people, 
& cutt a greate place thorrow a longe wood, in breadth 
of two leages or more, thorow terror of which thinge 
hee dayly made suplication to have peace, & putt in his 
hostages for the safe keeping therof, & theruppon the 
greate O'^Nele pretendinge himselfe to bee Einge of 
the Irish in Ulster. And O Neleboy sonne to M''. 
Qwenous, M^ Gwere, O Dowenell, greate & powerfull 
cheifetaynes of their nation, & divers other Irish eni- 



ORIGINAL L£TT£RS. 59 

mies, hearing of the cutting of the same place & of the 
damage & distruction done also to the sayd O Hanlan, 
& doubting the Kke to be done to them by your Leife- 
tenaunt, sent to him to have peace & to doe him ser- 
vice, & also to serve wth. him upon all other Irish eni- 
mies & English rebelles; & also he caused in many 
places every Irish enimie to serve upon the other, which 
thinge hath not beene scene by longe tjone in theise 
partes untill the coming of your Leiuetenant aforsayd ; 
and he hath accomplished divers other jomeis & la- 
bours for the sayd releife and comfort of your faythfuU 
leiges on this side the sea, and in especially at the 
making herof,in repay ring & mending of a bridge called 
the bridge of Athy, sett in the fronture of the borders 
of the Irish enimies of Laies, for the safe keeping 
wherof he hath erected a new tower upon the same fot 
a warde to putt therwith a greate fortificacon aboute 
the jsame for resistance of the sayd enimies, to the great 
comfort & releife of the English & greate over-throw 
of the Irish enimies; by which bridge your faythfuU 
leiges were oftentimes prayed ^ & killed, but now your 
sayd leiges, both their & els where, may suffer their 
goods and cattels to remayne in the feilds day & night 
wthout being stolen, or sustayning any other losse, which 
hath not beene scene here by the space of these thirty 
yeares past, God bee thanked & your gratious provision. 
And now after this upon Munday in the Whitson 

• preyed. 



60 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

wcekc, att Lasenhale in the county of Dublin, Morice 
O Keating cheiftayne of his nation, traitor & rebell 
to you our gratious Lord, for the great feare which he 
liad of your sayd Leiftenaunt, for himselfe & his nation, 
yeilded himselfe to the same your Leiuetenant without 
any condicion, with his br^t agaynst his swords po3mt 
& a cord about his necke, then delivering to your sayd 
Lciftenant without ransome the English prisoners 
which he had taken before, to whom grace was graunted 
by indenture, & his eldest sonne given in pleadge to 
bee loyall leiges from thence forwarde to you our so- 
veraigne Lord. Wee humbly beseeche your gratious 
lordshipp that yt would please you of your especiall 
grace to thinke upon your said land, & in the workes 
of charitye to have mercie & pitty upon us your poore 
leiges therof, who are environed on all sydes in warre 
with English rebells & Irish enimies to our continuall 
destruction & sorrow, & alsoe to have your sayd Leiue- 
tenaunt as especially recomended to your soveraigne 
Lordship for the causes aforsayd, & more over to provide 
soe gratiously such a sufficient pa3anent for him that 
he may make himselfe stronge inough to resiste the 
malice of your enimies on this side the sea, & his soul- 
diers able to pay for their vittals & other thinges which 
they toke of your faythfull leiges for the saftye of your 
land aforsayd, & of your poore leiges theriii, consider- 
inge our redoubt leige Lord that yf your forces be not 
here alwayes soe strongly mayntayned & continued 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 61 

wthout being deminished, your Irish enimies & En- 
glish rebells yf they may espie the contrary, although 
they have putt in hostages & are otherwise strongly 
bound to the peace, yet they will rise agayne unto 
wars, which is a privie Conquest of your land aforsayd. 
And furthermore the mony which your sayd Leiftennant 
doth receive of your gratious Lordshipp for the safe 
keeping of this your land is soe little that yt doth not 
suffice to paye so much unto the soldiors as is likly to 
mayntayne your warrs heere by a greate quantitye, by 
reason wherof they can pay but litle for any thinges 
taken from your sayd leidges for the sustenance of 
them & their horses, which is to the importable chardges 
of your leidges & perpetuall destruction of them yf they 
be not gratiously succored & releved by your gratious 
lordshipp in that behalfe ; & moreover wee beseeche 
your gratious Lordshipp to have yo^. sayd Leiuetenant 
especially recomended unto you for his greate conti- 
nual! labours & costes which he hath borne & sustayned 
about the deliverance of the Earle of Dessemond, who 
was falsly & deceatfully taken & deta3nied in prison by 
his unkle, to the greate distruction of all the contry of 
Mounstre, untill now that he is gratiously delivered 
by the good & gratious government of the same your 
Leiftenant. In witness whereof wee your faythfull & 
humble leiges the bishopp of Eildare, the gardeins of 
the spirituallities of Ardmaghe, the abbot of the House 
of our ladie of Fryme, the abbot of the House of our 



62 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

ladie of Kenleys, the abbot of the House of our lady of 
Balkinglase^ the abott of the House of our ladye of 
Beckty, the abbot of the House of our ladie nere Deve- 
lin, a the abbott of the House of our ladie of Novfin, 
the prior of the House of St. Fetter of Trime, the prior 
of the House of our lady of Louth, the prior of the 
House of St. Leonards of Dondalke, the prior of the 
House of St. John of Reulys, the prior of the House of 
our lady of Colp. the prior of the House of our lady 
Urse of Droghda, the prior of the House of our lady 
of Dy veleck, the prior of the House of St. Johns of 
Droghda, the prior of the House of St. Lawrence of 
Droghda, the prior of the House of our lady of Conall^ 
the prior of the House of St. Johns of Naas, the prior 
of the House of St. Johns without Newgate of Deuelin, 
the prior of the House of the Trinitye in Deuelin, the 
prior of the House of Fowre, the prior of the House of 
God of Molingare, the prior of the House of our lady 
of Trystemagh, the archdecon of Eildare, the arch- 
decon of Priell, Thomas Lenfant barron of Atherde, 
Richerd Nugent barron of Delbin, Matt. Huse barron 
of Galtrym, Thomas Mareward barron of Skryn, 
Edward Ferrers knight, John London knight, the 
maior & balifes of the Citie of Dublin, the Comons of 
your towne of Droghda, the Commons of Dondalke, 
the Commons of Atherdee, the Commons of Eenlys, the 
Commons of Tryme, the Commons of Athboy , the Com- 

« Dublin. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 63 

mons of Naas, the Commons of Clane, the Commons of 
Tresteldermot, the balifes of Louthe, the sherife of 
Dublin, the sherife of Kyldare, the sheryfe of Priell, & 
the sherife of the Crosse of Meth, Christopher Plum, 
James Uriell, John Fitz Adame, Robert Bumell, "VV^il- 
liam of Tynbegh, Robert White of Killester, Thomas 
Talbott of Malahede, John Clinton of Kepp, Chris- 
topher White, Henry Drake, Walter Plunke, John 
Taff, Robert Heiron, William Rath, John Clynton of 
Drumchasshell, Walter Congagham, Thomas White of 
Priell, Mathew Tanner, John Hejo^on, Thomas Rath 
of Croffkill, Walter Ley, William Deveros, Andrew 
Tuitt, Robert Bet, John Fitz Richard, John Dillon, 
Richard L3meham, George Fay, John Beery, Symon 
London, Richard Talbott of Mith, John Dardits of 
Gryll, W^. Fitz Wittm, John White of Conall, Wil- 
liam Heron, Mories Welsh, Nicholas Gaberd, Patrick 
Ley, Walter Harrold, William Welsh, Gylbaugh, 
Nicholas Brown, Patrick Flatesbury, John Eustace of 
Newland, Edward Ewstace, Thomas Penckeston, Ri- 
chard Fitz Ewstace, William White of the county of 
Dublin, Nicolas Gawarry, John Drake, Robert Gallan 
of Dublin, Thomas Cusack of Dublin & Lucas Dow- 
dalle of Dublin Esquires, have put our Scales. Dated 
the syx and twentieth day of June in the fith yeare of 
yo'. gratious Reigne. 

There is one fact in the History of Ireland which has not often been 
adverted to by the English Historians, and to which it may not.be quite 



64 ORIGINAL LETTERS.^ 

irrelative to call the attention of the reader, when speaking afttit foimer 
condition of that Country. It is that at a period even earlier than the 
Norman Conquest Ireland was the greatest, as probahly the nearest mart 
for English slaves. Malmesbury in his Life of Wulfstan bishop of 
Worcester has given a minute accoimt of this extraordinary traffic For in 
those times, and long before, when any person had more children than he 
could maintain, or more domestic slaves than he chose to keep, he sold 
them to a merchant, who disposed of them in Ireland, Denmark, Italy, 
or elsewhere, as he found most profitable. The people of Bristol were 
the chief carriers in this trade as far as it related to Ireland. Malmes- 
bury says that young women were frequently taken to market in their 
pregnancy that they might bring a better price.* The Ecclesiastical 
Council of Armagh, held in 11 71, passed a resolution to liberate English 
slaves. 



LETTER XX. 

The Comptroller of the Castle, and tlie Regent oftlte 
Conatahlery ofBourdeaux, to King Henry the Fifth. 
^.D. 1419. 

[ms. dovat. mus. bbit. 4602, art, 35. from ms. cotton, calio. d.v.] 

*^* Among the more curious Volumes which formerly existed in the 
Cottonian Collection, were the Manuscripts, Caligula D. v. and Caligula 

« The whole of Malmesbury's Account deaerves the reader's perusal : 
" Vicus est maritimus Brichstou dictus, a quo recto ciursu in Hibemiam transmit- 
titur, ideoque illius terre barbariei accommodus. Hujus indigens cum cseteris ex 
Angliil causi mercimonii sspe in Hibemiam annavigant. Ab his Wlstanus morem 
vetustissimum sustulit, qui sic animis eorum occalluerat, ut nee Dei amor nee Regis 
WiUielmi hactenus eum abolere potuissent. Homines enim ex omni AnglifL coemptos 
majoris spe qusest(^ in Hibemiam distrahebant; andllasque priAs ludibrio lectiha- 
bitas jamque praegnantes venum proponebant. Videres et gemeres concatenates 
funibus miserorum ordines et utriusque sexfis adolescentes ; qui liberali forml« 
actate integri barbaris miserationi essent ; - ootidie prostitui, cotidie venditaiL Fad- 
nus execrandum, dedecus miserabile, nee belluini affectus memores homines, neces- 
situdines suas, ipsum posiremd sanguinem suum serviiuti addicere. Hunc tarn 
invetcratum morem et a proavis in nepotes transfusimi Wlstanus, ut dixi, paulatim 
delevit. Sciens enim cervicositatem eorum non facile flecti, sope circa eos duobus 
mensibus sspe tribus mansitabat ; omni Dominic& e6 veniens, et divine praedica- 
tionis semina spargens. Qus aded per intervalla temporum apud eos oonvaluere ; 
ut non solum renuntiarent vitio, sed ad idem faciendum cseteris per Angliam essent 
exemplo.'* Mahnesb. de Vita S. Wlstani Episc. Wigom. cap. xx. AiigL Sacr. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 65 

D. vi. ; the fonner idmost entiiely, the latter in part only, destroyed in 
the Fire at Westminster in 1731. The first of these was intitled, in 
Smith's Catalogue, '* Transacta inter Angliam et Frandam a primo 
anno R. Henrici V. ad annmn decimum quartum R. Henrici VI. :** the 
seo(md, " Transacta inter Angliam et Franciam ab anno 1485 ad A.D. 
1518." Fortunately, many of the more important Letters included in 
their contents were transcribed among the Papers prepared for, but not 
inserted in Rymer*s Foedera. From these Transcripts, this, and some 
other Letters have been copied in the present Collection.. 



MosTE hy and moste myzty Prynce and oure sove- 
raine lige Lord, We zoure humble liges and servitours, 
with all subjection and humilitee We recomend us to 
zoure roial Majestee. To the wyche like for to wyt 
that we have resseyved zoure roial Lettres the xij. 
day of this present Month ; in the wyche ze charged 
me Robert Holme zour humble servant and govemour 
of zoure OflSce of the Conestablerie at Bourdeaux, 
that y schold ordeyne certeyn sommes of the revenuz 
of zoure Castel for eche of thilke persones that schold 
come to zoure roiall presence raisonablely aftyr thair 
estates. And to the complement » of zoure said charge 
zoure Conseill and we have doon owre entier peyne 
and diligence. Bot treuly the revenuz of zoure said 
Castel at Bourdeux ben so pore and of so litel valour^ 
that the too^ parties of the charges ordinaries may 
nouzt be paled; and that is bycause of the gret 
franchise and other donacions roialx of zoure patry- 
monye zeven by zoure roialx progenitours, the whilk 

• oompletioD, fulfillment. >> valure, value. < two. 

VOL. I. SER. 2. F 



66 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

God assoill, as zoure roiall Majestie schal be more 
plajoily enformed at alle tymes that hit be plesjrng to 
zoure Hynesse to comande us. 

And more oure moste hy and most myzty Prince, 
like unto zoure roial Majestee to wyt, that we hav 
zeven certein credence to Bernard Augerjm derc of 
zoure Consell at Bourdeux, berer of this Lettre ; to 
whom like unto zoure Hjmesse to zeve audience ; and 
that ze coraand hym to enforme zou treuly of the estat 
of this Contre, and alleso of the governance of zoure 
Officers in this^ parties whilk am^ profitable for zou. 
Other tythands^ we can nouzt write at this tyme to 
zoure roial Majestee, but we byseche Grod Almyzty 
that he have evremore zoure roial persone in hys 
kepyng with encrece [of] all manere of Honours, after 
that zoure noble and roial hert desires. 

Wryten in haste at zoure Citee of Bourdeaux the 
xx**i day of Marche. 

Zoure humble liges and servitours 

J. BOWET CVw'7"' qfzour Ca&tel ofBord, 
and 
ROBERT HOLME Regent of the Constablerye 

of Bau/rdeuxA 



* these, are * tidings. 

' A note in an old hand* says " The King received this * Lector* at Vernon* 
9 April, 1419.'* 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 67 



LETTER XXI. 

John Aketre to Kmg Henry the Ftfth^ upon the prch 
gress made in building a Ship Jbr the King ai 
BayonnCj A. D. 1419. 

[hs. doxat. hus. BRIT. 4902, art. 45, from M8. cottok. calio. b. v.] 

*«* The Kings of En^and, in the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth 
Centuries had occasionally large Fleets under their command, but they 
consisted of merdiant ships only, gathered from the difierent ports of 
England, or hired from foreign countries ; those of England on such 
emergencies being pressed with their crews into the King's service. 

In 1904 the largest ship of war in England, according to Dr. Uenry^ 
had a crew of only forty men ; and in the fleet of Edward the Third at the 
Siege of Calais, in 1346, the complement of each ship upon an average 
must have been under twenty men.* 

Henry the FifUi, as will presently be seen, was ihe first of our Kings 
who established a permanent navy. 

The following Letter from John Alcetre details minutely the progress 
of certain workmen at Bayonne in constructing a vessel of considerable 
size, which the King had ordered to be buUt. Bayonne was then the 
last town in the Duchy of Aquitaine.** The Mayor and Corporation had 
contracted with the King for the completion of this Vessel within a cer. 
tain time ; but the writer of the Letter thinks it could not be ready, and 
that it would take even four or five years to finish. The Ship, as the 
timbers had been laid down, was a hundred and eighty^tia! feet in lengUi. 

From a passage in a rhyming Pamphlet written in 1433, printed by 

HaUuyt, intitled '« The Libel of English Polide," it appears that 

Henry the Fifrh built other large ships : 

" And if I should conclude all by Che King 
Heniie the fift, what was his purposing. 
When at Hampton he made the great dromons 
Which passed other great Ships of aU the Commons; 
The THniHe, the Grace de Dieu, the H9ly Qhost, 
And other moe, whidi as now be losf* 

• The following was the equipment of the ship, which in 1406, 7 Hen. IVth. car- 
ried PhiUppa, his sister. Queen of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, to her home. 
Two guns, forty pounds of powder, forty stones for guns, forty tampons, four 
touches, one mallet, two five pans, forty pavys, twenty-four bows, and forty sheaf 
of arrows. Rym. Feed. tom. viii. p. 44!r. 

>> It oontbtued in the hands of the English from the year 1155 to 1458. 

F 2 



68 



OBIGINinL LETTERS. 



The Ships of the King and those of the Commons are here distin- 
guished ; the ROTAL KAVT, from the vessels which were supplied by 
the sea-ports, or hired abroad. 

The entire List of Henrj's own Ships, in the fourth year of his reign, 
is presenred among the Proceedings of his CoundL They consisted of 
three Vessels of the greater sise, three Cairacks, eight Barges, and ten 
Balingers or smaller Barges.* 

In a document of the antecedent year, among the same Proceedings of 
Council, we have the pay of the Officers and Sailors of the King's great 
Ships, employed in keeping the narrow seas. The Admiral received for 
a quarter of a year and thirty-nine dajrs* service, wages for fifty men at 
arms at zij*^. per day each ; and for a hundred and fifty bowmen, at vj*^. a 
day each ; making a total of 812/. lOi. For the wages during the same 
time of four masters of respective ships, and two hundred and fifty mariners, 
the former at vj^*. a day, and the mariners at iij<^. he received 8192. 5«.^ 

The name of jdbomons given in the ^* Libd of English Polide*' to 
4he great ships of Henry the Fifth, requires explanation. The term was 



• '* LSS NOMM DEB NIXFB ST VXSSSAUX DU BOY. 



" Cuttodia 
Maris:' 



1 



LaTrinitee, 

Le Seint Espirit; 

Uj. Carrakes, 

Le Nicholas. 

Le Katerine, 

Le Gabriel, 

Le Thomas* 

La Marie, 

Le Roode Cog, 

La petite Trinitee, 

ij. autres, 

Le George, 

La Ave, 

Le Gabrid de Hareflieu« 

Le Craochere, 

Le James^ 

Le eigne, 

Le petit Johan, 

Le Nicholas, 

ij. autres. 



Gramb Hiefk. 



k> Barges, 



*• Baiinger*. 



MS. Cotton. Cleop. F. in. fol. 15S b. 



" Admirallo domini Regis super salva custodia maris pro vadiis 
L horoinum ad anna, quolibet ad xij^. et d. sagittar. quolibet ad 
vj<i. per diem, a festo Nativitatis Sancti Joh. Bapt aoddente 
xxiiijto. die Junii anno tertio usque ad festum omnium Sanctorum 
prox. sequen. per unum quarterium et xxxix. dies« 8122. 10«. 

" Et pro vadiis iiij*". magistrorum et cd. marinariorum pro qua* 
tuor navibus super custodia Maris per tempus pnedictum« quolibet 
magistro ad vj<i. per diem et quolibet marinaiio ad vj*, per diem 
per tempus pnedictum, siiM. fif." 

Ibid. foL 141. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 69 

of a date much eadier than the fifteenth Ceotarjy and seems to have been 
bonowed from the Saiaoens. It meant Ships of the largest size and 
strongest construction. The famous Ship which was taken by Idling 
Richard the First near the Port of Aeon, and which contained no fewer 
than fifteen hundred men, is so named by Matthew Paris. '' Navis 
quasdam peimaxima, quam d&omukdam appellant, missa a Saladino 
fratre Salaadini Soldano Babyloniae, de dvitate Baruch, inmiensis re- 
ferta divitiis. Erat in ilia ignis Orsecus, serpentimique ignotorum pluri. 
ma vasa plena ; et bellatores mille quingenti." * 



Most excellent, most hiest, myghtiest Prynce and 
most Soverayne Lord, all maner of low supjection 
afore sayde. Lykyth yt to youre ryall Majeste to 
wete the governance and the makyng of youre Shippe 
at Bayon. At the makyng of this J^etter yt was in 
this estate, that ys to wetyng xxxvj. strakys^ in hyth 
y bordyd, on the weche strakys byth y layde xj. 
bemys ; the mast heme ys yn leynthe xlvj. comjoi fete, 
and the heme of the hameron afore ys in leynthe xxxix. 
fete, and the heme of the hameron by hynde is in 
leynthe xxxiij. fete; fro the onemost ende of the 
Stemne in to the Poste by hynd ys in leynthe a hon- 
dryd iiij'"^. and vj. fete ; and the Stemne ys in hithe 
iiij^. and xvj. fete ; and the Post xlviij. fete ; and the 
Eele ys in leynthe a hondryd and xij. fete : but he is 
y rotyt,^ and must be chaungyd. 

Also lykyth yt to youre ryall Mageste to wete that 
yowre Shippe woUe nat be redy at the terme that they 
have by hote^ yow ; and, by that y can se, nat this 

* Mat. Par. Hist. edit. 1S84, p. 136. *> stretchers or stretching pieces, 

c rotted. * promised. 



70 ORIGINAL LKTTKB8. 

iiij. or V. yeres hereaftyr. For the Mayre and his 
consortes havyth y rendyd yowre dze^ iiij^. of the It 
at yowre grete dampnage, and hare^ profyte : for yt is 
worth iij.^ so muche as they payth. Therfore like as 
y have wrete to yowre ryall Mageste here afore, for 
and all the money that corny th of yowre syze^ schold 
go to the Shippes workys, yowre Shippe wold be sone 
a redy, and zit of that litiU somme that youre syzie* ys, 
y rendyd, fore they takyth therof to thare owne use. 
And in this degre yowre workys of yowre Shippe mow 
nat gon forthe, and by eny thyng that y can se they 
woUe lefe of the makyng of yowre Shippe in short 
tyme, but yf ye make othyr cnrdynaunce therto. 

Allso lyketh yt to yowre ryall Mageste to wete that 
they mow nat excuse ham^ by Bord ne Tymbyr, for 
they mow have y now in the Contrey, as gode as eny 
may be; and as touchjmg to Carpenters they mow 
have y now yf they wolde, but they leten ham^ go 
where they wollyth. 

Allso lykyth yt to yowre ryal Mageste to wete that 
y mote nat knowe of no costages ne dispensys, ne jn 
what maner yowre money ys by sette,^ but y lyke as 
ham selfen* lust. And y levyng all myne occupacyons 
besy me, and travayle me abowte the makyng of yowre 
Shippe. 

Most excellent, most hiest, mightiest Prince and 

* anise. >> their. < i. e, thrice. * them. • beset. ' themselves. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 71 

most Soverayne Lord, Almyghty Jhesus have you in 
his kepyng. 

Wrete at Bayon the xxv. day of Averell, 

By youre pore supjecte and trew 

lege man 

JOHN ALCETRE. 



The following very curious Letter, preserved in the Cottonian Manu- 
script Vesp. C. XII. fol. 127, from an English agent in Spain to one of 
the Chancellors of Henry llie Fifth, forms, in part, a comment upon that 
of John Alcetre ; and seems to have been written somewhere near the 
same time. It shows that the desire of Henry the Fifth to have vessels 
of a large size was not unnoticed by the Spaniards, who appear to have 
offered to him several, particularly two Carracks, one of which is de- 
scribed as of a tonnage equal to fourteen hundred^ and the other to ten 
hundred boats. The Cairack is supposed to have obtained its name 
from its capacity for carriage. Du Cange says, '' Cakbica, Caricti^ 
navigii spedes, navis oneraiia, Oallis Vaisseau de charge^ unde forte 



nomen." 



'' Worchepfiul and reverent Sir, y commanded me to yow in that y can 
or may. Lyke you to wete tythynges^ off thjrs Contre. At the makyng 
off thjrs Lettre the Kyng of Arragcm holdeth hj% Parlament in the regne 
off Valenc', lyche as 3rs the maner off the Contre. And as late tyme 
passyd ther cam here a knyt Sir Emond TorreUes, with iiij. galeys armed, 
out of Prowenc* ; ^ and y wente to the Consell, se3ryng to hem, off the 
ben Vaylenc* that the K3mg off Engebnd, and off the pes that j% be 
twene the remes, askyng off hem that they scholde areste hem and tarye 
hem ; for y seyde that yff they com up the cost off Engdond noyse 
scholde be gret that the Catalans werred a yen the Kyng, hyt myht tume 
to gret hevynesse and chong' of hertes ; seyying with thys wordes hou 
gret tresure hyt ys to the Hous off Arragon to haff lyge<^ and frenchep 
with the Kyng off Engelond. They tok thys wordes to gode entent, and 
sente to the Kyng Mons'. Bdeg Berdesyn, rehersyng thys wordes be for 
seyd. The Kyng and hys ConseU a sented well that the < scholde be arest ; 
but he ne londed not, and as they ansewerd me hyt was a yenes the wille off 
the Kynge and off al the Reme, for llie wych y asked off hem that they 

• commend. *> tidings. « Province. ^ league. • they. 



72 ORIGINAL LETTe'rS. 

wold wrjte to the Kynget Conadl, esqusyng hem that hyt was not her 
well, in saffyng of the aaff oondytes be twe the tweye Kinges. Thys 
Lettres y myht haflfe yfie y wolde aake hem. 

^ AImo lyke you to wete, that y haff tent you Lettres off thys mater 
beforetyme, that yff hyt lyke the K3mg he may hafie here x or zij Oaleys 
armed, or mo ; for as hyt hjrs told me that thor ys wrete lettres to Barssy- 
loQ for to haflfe on off ther capytaynes into EngeUmd, fibr to make 
confirmation of thjrs matier. Alsso, yff be plessyng to the Kyng, ther 
be twey new Carrakas of makyng at Barthokm, die on of xiiij.C botts 
that other off z.C. botts. He may haffe hem yff hyt lyke hym. Alsso 
Mons** Petro de Lima j% in Penysoula as a man that fewe speke off. 
Other tythyoges be non at thys tyme; but I preye you beth gode 
ma3rster and frend to my wyff and chyldren : and yff ther be eny servyse 
that y may do to yowre lykyng, y am redy with all that y can ; and y 
prey to the Holy Trinyte kepe you body and soule, and saff oure Kyng 
and all hys. Wretc at Valenc* the xxiij. day off JulL 

Tar tout Tostre 

TOMA ." 



LETTER XXII. 



Jofm de Assheton to King Henry Vth. a Letter of 
Intelligence^ written apparently aboui -4.. D. 1419. 

[ms. donat. bbit. mus. 4603, art ll.from calio. d. v.] 

To oure Souverain Lord the King. 

MosTE hegh and myghty Prince, moste dowtewyse 
and soverayne Lorde, I zoure humble man and ser- 
vaunt me recomaunde loghlye unto zoure hegh and 
worshipfull Astate. 

Moste hegh and myghty Prince, like zow to witte 
that I am enfourmet that after that the Erie of 
Aumarlle and the Frenssh men that weren with him 
were departed out of the Mounte, and hadde taken 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 73 

with thaim the Tresour that ther was ; in departynge of 
this good emonge thaim ther fel gret debate, and was 
gret fighte, and that thay kepe this good emonge thaim 
sdven and bien avysed to sende the Dolfjoi no parte 
therof. And . . . er y . . . Cappi'*''. of the Mounte, 
on hegh the Bastarde of Osbute, and be nethe in the 
Toun ys the Baron of Byars, John Payneil, Guillaume 
de la Lisseme, and John de le Hay ; and abofe and 
benethe, &s I am lered, ther passes not an C. men of 
defence, and thair Cisteme in y° qwich yair water is 
woiite to be kepped ys brosten, so that for lakke of 
water and of wode thai myght abide noon, gret dis- 
tresse and sege were layde aboute thaim. 

Also the Abbot of the Mounte has sent for safe 
condute for to come to zour obeysshans ; and the wyf 
of Mayster Raoul Le Sage has a safe condute for to 
come with Mayster Raoul when that he comes on his 
Ambassate,* and I wayte after thaim evere day. 

Also the Bretonnes that bien at the Sege of Saint 
Urstheaux were fallene upon with the Erl brother of 
Pentever, and ther was taken and slayn an C. of his 
men with the Bretonnes; and as zet we here no 
styrrynge of the Frenssh Men to Constantin Ward ; 
and brigauntez were never so fewe in thoo partyez. 

And I am lered that Pyket and his wyf bien floghen 
out of Aungers unto the Rochell, for feer of the Dol- 



• Ralph dc Sage was employed as an ambassador to Bhtany in 1420. Rym. Focd. 
torn. X. pp. 2> 4» 8. 



74 ORIGINAL LITTERS. 

fyn ; for he hade scnde to Aungers for to have arested 
PykeL 

And in Aungers ys no stuffe of Men of Armez as 
I am lered, save a Icmely of the burgeysez ; and the 
Cuntre y s so stroyet in y" Dolfyns Men and the Soottes, 
that evere man that comes of thoo ooostez says he 
yrkes right sore with thair lyf and desyren to be at 
zoure obeysshans. 

Moste Hegh and Myghty Prince most doutewyse 
and soverajme Lorde, the blessed Trinite have zow 
in his kepinge and send zow the Victorye of zoure 
Enemys. 

Writen At Costaunce y" xv. Day of Junii. 

Zoure humble man & servaunt 

JOHN OF ASSHETON. 



LETTER XXIII. 



Sir William Bardolph to King Henry tJie Fifths re^ 
lating to the Government of Calais, 

[ms. cotton. VE8F. XIII. fol. 31. Orig,"] 

*«* Sir William Bardolph was in the train of Henry -the Fifth when 
he was captain of Calais in ihe reign of his father.* In the 4th of 
Henry Vth. Sir William Bardolph had the keeping of the Castle of Sand- 
gate in Picardy. ^ In the next year we find Him Lieutenant of Calais. ' 
Tlie Cottonian Manuscript, Calig. D. v. formerly contained a Letter of 
his, in French, to the Council of Henry the Fifth, giving a wretched 

• Rolles Fran?, i. aOT. >' Rot. Gascon. 4 Hen. V. m. 14. Oct. 9. 

« MS. Cotton. Galba B. i. art. I34. I7e» 128, 183. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 75 

« 

account of the wants and anean of the Gairiaon of Calais, dated Nov. 
12th, 5 Hen. Vth. he speaks of ^^ hi grande meschevouse necessite, 
hideus, piteus noisse, et dolereuse murmixie, quell oontinuehnent, de jour 
en jour, se aient par descha entre nous humhles lieges et poures souldeiers 
du Roy n6tre tres redoute soverain Seigneur, pour la grand importable 
disaise et grevousse pouverte que nous sustiennons, en deffdvUe de ptne» 
ment de not gages ore de ces deux ant id patteet*^^*^ 

Among the Norman Rolls of the 6th of Hen. Vth. there is one which 
indicates that he had a diaracter for sevedty. '^ De potestate commissa 
WiUielmo Bardolf militi, ad tutpendendum omnetper collum qui fals^ se 
extraxerunt ab exercitu Regis.'* ^ 

The Letter here pre&ced, is a fahr specimen of a Gentleman's style in 
the reign of Henry the Vth. 



My most i dowtyd graxsious sovereygne liege Lord, 
al so lowly an mekly as in ony wise I can or may I 
recomaunde me un to zowt hy nobil and gratious 
Lordschip, un to the qwiche please yt to understonde, 
that in as myche as the governaunce of the Frynche 
party her has ben and ys, duryng the abstinence of 
werr of viij. dayys weynyng in to thys tyme, mer- 
veylous & wndirfuUy unstabil in diverse wise, to gret 
hyndryng and harm of zowr liege puple, qwiche wer 
to longe and to combrous to declar zow be writyng 
with owtyn I cowde better endyte. I beseche un to 
zowr seyd Lordschip that in tho maths <^ and other 
towching governaunce of this zowr Town and Marchis, 
that yt plese zow to her, sey, and speke in that party 
zowr servaunt Jon Hunden brynger of this Letter. 
Aftir the articlys qwiche I have delivery d hym, wretin 
with myn owne hand, and them graciowsly consyderyd 

* MS. Donat. Mus. Brit. 4601. art Ul. >> Rot. Norm. 8 Hen. V. p. 2, m. 8. 

« these matters. 



obigina;« letters. 

be zowr hy noblesse, I may therupon have word, be 
the same Hunden, of zowr goode plesaunce, qwow^ I 
chal be goyemyd ; and my most i dowtyd gracious 
sovereygne liege Liord, no more write I at this tjrme 
un to zowr hy Wy^messe,** but that I beseche Al 
myghty Grod ever to have zow in hys holy kepjrnge, 
and zeve zow ryght goode lyf and longe parfet helthe 
of body, and victory of zowr enemys, for his goode 
Grace. Wretyn at zowr town of Caleys upon Corpus 
Christi day. 

Zowr owne powr 
soget 

W. BABDOLPH. 



LETTER XXIV. 



T. F. to his Fellows and Friends in Engla/iidy from 

Evreux^ A. D. 1420. 

[ms. donat. mus. BRIT. 4601, art 156. from the cottokiak ms. 

CALIG. D. v.] 

*^* There is an Instrument in Rymer^s Fcedera, torn. ix. p. 701, 
from the Norman Rolls, 6 Hen. V. p. 2, nu 23. dated 28 Feh. 1419. 
'' de confirmatione Tractatus cmn Dauphino super colloquio per- 
sonal!, Teste Rege apud Castrum Rothomagi," to which in all pro- 
bability one part of this Letter alludes. The " Rule Regent," saith the 
writer, ^^ hath broke the surety abovesaid, and made the King a beau 
NiENT." None of our Historians appear to notice this occurrence. 



. . . . welle beloved 

Felous & Freendys I grete yow welle, dowyng yow 

• how. )> Highness. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 77 

to understond that al be hit that the Dolphin, Regent 
of France, made grete instance by hys ambassiatours, 
sondry tymes, for to have hadde personele speche w^' 
the Kyng for the good of peesf betwene bothe Reaumes ; 
and at the last the Kyng grantyd hys desir for to do so 
yn sum covenable place betwene Evereux and Drewys, 
as the ambassiatours of bothe parties myghten have 
accordet apon; and that that aforsaide personele 
metyng shulde have be do the iij Sunday of Lent, at 
hys owne desir and instance made therfore ; makyng 
seuretee by hys othe and hys lettres y seeled therapon 
to kepe that day. The forsaide Rewle Regent hathe 
broke the seuretee abovesaide, and made the Kyng a 
beau nient:^ so that ther may none hope be hadde as 
yette of pees. God putte honde therto when hys wil 
ys. Cirtes alle the ambassadors, that we dele wyth, 
ben yncongrue, that is to say, yn olde maner of 
speche in Englond, " they ben double and falsf 
why th whiche maner of men I prey God lete never no 
trewe mon be coupled with. 

And so nowe men suppose that the Kyng wil fro 
henys forthe make werre yn France ; for Normandie 
is alle hys, except Gysors, Euere, the Castelle Gay- 
lard,b and the Roche. The whiche shulle ben sette a 
werke yn hast for to leme to do as other have done, 
beter than they be by mony foold. 

• This is, in fact, an Italian phrase: he made the King a bdlo niento. He made 
him a cypher : he stultified him. 
>> The Castle of Galiard was subsequeiitlysurrendered to the Duke of Exeter, 



78 OBI6IVAL LETTEmS. 

More write y not at thys tyme ; bote y prey yow ye 
prey {ofr us that we may come sone, oute of thys un- 
lusty soundyours lyf, yn to the lyf of Englond. And 
Crist have yow yn hys hcdy kepyng. 

Wrete at Euereux the Monday next byfore Passion 
Sunday. Y have wrete to yow oft tjnme yn the Seege 
tyme of Rouen,^ and sethe^ the yeeldyng therof ; bote 
y not<^ whether my Lettres alle come to yow or no. 

By 

T. F. 



One of the last sentences, '^ More write I not at this tune, but I 
pray ye pray for us that we may come soon out of this unlusty souldien 
life iuto the life of England,** forms an energetic comment upon the 
hardships endured by the soldiers in Henry the Fifth*s campaigns. The 
common people in England, too, showed some discontent at the glory 
which the King and his army were in search of. The Donation Manu- 
script in the Museum, 4601, art. 232. contains the following copy of 
'^ an Information against one Glomyng for words spoken by him in 
September 1419, relating to the Siege of Rouen : 

'^ Raulin Eyrkeby of Sandewych shipman, and William Buryman of 
Ertyngdon, witnessyt and recordyt that Harry Olomjmg habodaaher 
axyd of the same Raulyn where the King of Ingelond lay ; and the for- 
sayd Raulyn ansuerde and sejrde that he lay atte Sege before Roon. 
' What doth he there,* seyde the forsejrde Hairy ? ' for and y were there 
with iij. M. men of armys,* seyde the same Harry, *■ y wolde breke his 
Sege, and make hem of Roon dokke hys tayle.' And fordermore he 
sayde that he vere not able to abyde there, were hit that the Duk of 

■ This notice of the Siege of Rouen, aSbids an opportunity of commenting upon 
a short passage of Monstrelet. That writer says that when Henry the Fifth made 
his entry into Rouen Jan. ioth« 1410-20, '* he was followed by a page mounted on a 
beautiful horse, bearing a lance, at the end of which, near the point, was fiutened a 
Fox's brush by way of streamer, which afforded gretit matter of remark among M« 
tvite heads." 

Elmham, and Stowe after him, give the explanation of this. In 1414, Henry the 
Fifth " kept his Lent in the castle of Kenitworth, and caused an arbour to be planted 
in the marsh there for his pleasure, amongst the thorns and bushes, where a Fox 
before had harboured : which Fojt he killsd, being a thing then thought to 
prognosticate that he should expel the crafty deceit of the Fbknch Kino." 

^ since. c know not. 



ORIGINAL LETTEES. 79 

Borgoyne kepte his enemyes fro h3nii. And he seyde thjrs wordjrs atte 
Ertyngdon, in the house of the forseyde William Burgman, a morwe 
after Seynt Mathew the Apostel, the sexte yere of owre Loide the Kyng 
that now ys, that Grod save." 

Upon the hack o£ the original of this Information, a memorandmn is 
made, that upon the 24th of Octoher following, the said Glomyng, for 
uttering these words, was committed hy the Eing*s council to the prison 
of the Fleet. 



LETTER XXV. 

Heretong Cltix to Kmg Henry the Fifth, upon the 
Emperor Sigismund's setting out to repress the 
Hussites in Bohemia. 

[rot. ANTIQ. cotton. BRIT. MUS. XIII. 30. Orig.'] 

%* Heretong, Hortang, or Hortank van Clux, firom his name was a 
Fleming. An Inspeximus of the 1st of Henry the Fifth announces him 
as a knight, and states that he had served with King Henry the Fourth 
in Wales.* The Cottonian Manuscript Vespas. F. i. foL 2. contains 
King Henry the Fourth*8 Instructions to him and John Stokes, dated 
at Windsor, March 2d, 1411, when they went ambassadors to Sigismund 
as King of Hungary. In 1414 he was sent again to the Court of Sigis- 
mund, and was in the same year with King Henry the Fifth in France ;'' 
he was afterwards sent as minister firom England at different times to the 
King of Arnigon, the Princes of Almaigne, the Hanse Towns, and the 
Genoese.*^ 

The mention of Sigismund's succeeding to the Crown of Bohemia upon 
the death of his birother Wenceslaus, fixes the time of writing the present 
letter either to the end of 1419, or the beginning of 1420, when Heretong 
Clux was again the resident at his court 

Sigismund had had the crown of Hungary from 1386 ; and became 
Emperor in 1 410* The world has been long acquainted with his treachery 
to Huss. After Huss*s execution, while the Council of Constance at which 

* Rym. FoBd. torn. iz. p. 44. >> Ibid. pp. 165« 858. 

c Ibid. pp. 410, 412, 418, 609. 



80 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

he presided was stQl sitting, he repaired to Engluid; and was recei?ed 
there with every honor due to the first Sovereign of Europe. His reeep- 
tion, indeed, was of so flattering a kind that, as we gather from the pre- 
sent lietter, he entertained the wish to visit it again : but the Hussites kept 
him employed. The words of the Letter as they regard the feding of 
Bohemia are remarkable. The power of the barons against him was 
great, '^ but the gteateH power was of the commoners.*^ Putter says 
that Sigismund undertook no less than six campaigns against the Hussites 
without effect. They were headed by the memorable Zisca. Sigismund 
did not obtain the quiet possession Gi Bohemia till 1436 ; and he died at 
Znaym Dec 9th, 1437.* 

The last mention, which occurs in Rymer*s Foedera, of Heretong Clux 
is in the 18th of Hen. Vlth. when he was sent up(m an embassy fhm 
England to the Emperor and the Archbishop of C<dogne.^ 

The same Roll which contains this Letter preserves the Form for 
Sigismund^s Reception in England in 1416, and an original Order of the 
Council of Henry the Fifth, signed by its different members, for giving 
rewards to his ambassadors. 



MosTE worshippful and reverende Lorde I recom- 
maunde me unto zour graciouse Lordschip, and os^ 
touching Lebard^s message wilk^ he brohte to the 
Emperor, I have sped hym in all the haste that I myht, 
so that the Emperor hase fulfilde all zo** desire os <^ of 
that Message. And if it like zo*^ graciouse Lordschip 
for to knaw of my govemaunce sen tyme that I sent 
zow laste worde be mayster John Stokes be muthe^ 
and noht be letter : and also a fore be the Provindale 
Diprant, and Hans of Serwse be letter also : and after 
mayster Johan Stokes ^ wasse gone, the Emperor sayde 

* See Putter's Developement of the Constitution of the Gennanic Empire, tnnsL 
by Dornford, vol. i. p. 881. Art de verifier les Dates, FoL Par. torn. iL ITST. p. 4es. 

k Rym. FoBd. torn. x. p. 769. « as. <> which. • mouth. 

' John Stoke, Stokes, or Stokys, LLD. is mentioned in numerous embassies fhxn 
King Henry Vth. See Rym. Foed. torn. ix. pp. 419, 481, 550, e26, 627, 6SS, 682, 646, 
664, 716, 780. 



ORtGINAI. LETTERS. 81 

me planley that I sulde noht gone frome hym un to 
tyme that I sulde wyte wedir he myhte come to zow 
thi^ somer or noht ; and ther opon he hase halden me 
ail way un to this tyme. And now I knawe well he 
may noht come, for this cause, that many of the grett 
lordis of Beheme that ware swome of his Counsell sen 
that his Brother dyde, and hade his livere, han required 
hym for to late hem halde the sayme beleve that thei 
ben in, the qwilk Articls [and] Letter I have closed in 
this Letter qwilk thei have sente to the Empror : and 
ther opon he sent hem worde that rader » he wolde be 
dede or he wolde susten hem in thare Malesse : and 
thei hane ansferd h3rm agaytie, that thei will rether^ 
dye than gon ^ frome thare beleve. And . like zour 
graciouse Lordschip for to knawe that ther is a grete 
power of hem, bothe of Lordys,.Knyths, and Squiers, 
bot the grettiste power is of Ck)mmuners : and therfore 
the Empror gederse all the power that he may, for to 
gone in to Beheme opon hem : and knawse no nother, 
ne noman thet is a boute hjrm, bot that he is lyke to 
have a grete batell with hem : and therfore the Empror 
hase charged me habyde and see a nende, lyke osc , 
he dyde qwen he wente oute of Hungare a ganes the 
Turkys. And therfore I be seke zow of zour graciouse 
Lordschip, alslauley and als Hiekely os^ any poure ser- 
vaunt may don un to his Lorde, that ze be noht dis- 
plesed of my long habydyng frome zow ; for I think 

» rather. •> go. « as. 

VOL. I. SEE. 2. G 



82 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

for to come unto zow in a shorte tyme be the grace of 
Gode, and bringe zow redy worde of ail maner thing 
qwilk I kane noht wryte unto zour gradouse Liordschip 
atte this tyme ; for I wold noht byde so longe frome 
zow, savyng that I here suche tydans that all zour 
frendis be glade therof, of zow and zoure werres, wham 
Grod save and kepe alle way from evell. Writen atte 
Swines atte departyng of the Empror goynge in to 
Beheme in the feste of Sajn Vitale martir. 

Be zour poure Servaunt 

HEBETOKG CLDX. 

SereniMuno Prindpi Henrico, 
Francue Anglisque R^, et Do- 
mino Hibemis, Domino meo me- 
tuendissimo. 



Dr. Chandler informed the Society of Antiquaries, Febrnaiy 5th, 
1761, that in the Public Library at Edinburgh was preserved the original 
Protest of the Bohemian and Hungarian Lords against the breadi of £uth 
by the Council of Constance, in imprisoning and burning John Huss and 
Jerome of Prague, contrary to the safeguard given to them by the Em- 
peror for their appearance at the CoundL 

By the kindness of Dr. Jamieson, the Editor is enabled to state that 
this document is still preserved in the Library of the University of Edin- 
burgh. The names of the protesting Lords and Gentlemen are aU written 
round the margin, and the Seal of each person impressed on a cake of wax 
annexed by a label to the respective name. Of the mode in which Ak 
deed found its way to the archives of the University no account can be 
given. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 88 

LETTER XXVI. 

Richard KnygtU cmd Robert Whitgrave to King 
Henry Vth.Jrom HarJUur^ respecting his Treaswre. 

[ms. donat. MU8. B&iT. 4600. art, 1 14./fom ms. cotton. calig«d. v.] 

*«* Monstrelet describing the surrender of Harfleur to Henry the 
Fifth, Sept 26th. 1415, says, '< In regard to the wealth found there, it 
was immense, and appertained to the King, who distributed it among 
such as he pleased.*' The Letter, however, here presented, could not 
have been written befbre 1420. The wealth it mentions was upon the 
point of being removed to Rouen. 

Stowe, under the year 1419, says, that after the Siege of Rouen was 
over. King Henry '^ to relieve this oppressed City, ordained it to be the 
chief Chamber of all Normandy, and ordained his Exchequer^ his the A- 
SUBT, and his Coinage to be kept in the same." 



Most soverayne and gracious Lord ; and hit lyke 
zow to wete, we ben in Harfleu whith zoure goode ; 
that is in Gold coyned xxx.m.^; in Sylver coyned mm.i»; 
and in wegges of silver drawyng by estymation to 
halfe a tonne tyght : and other serteyne godes of zoure 
Chapell, of zoure Warderobe, and of zoure Housold : 
the wheche we dar not remewe^ unto the tyme we 
have comaundement from zow how we shall goveme 
hit, wheder by water or by londe, and how we shal be 
condyt^ to Bxme.^ And Criste for his mercy save 
zow, kepe zow, and spede zow. 

Wryten at Harfleu, xix**». day of May. 

Zoure servauntes, richabd knygtle 

and BOBARD WHIT6B£V£,<^ 

Cotmtours afzofwre Receyte. 

• remove. *> conducted. • Rouen. 

** Robert Whitgreve occurs as one of the TeUers of tiie Exchequer in England 
lOtb. Hen. V. 1432. Rym. F^. torn. x. p. 215. 

g2 



84 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 



LETTER XXVII. 

Sir Hugh LuUreU to King Henry the Fifth. 

[XB. DOKAT. XirS. BSIT. 4002. art 118. firom the COTTOyiAK M8. 

CALIO. D. v.] 

*«* Sir Hng^ Lattrdl, the writer of this Letter, was the Lieutenant 
of Uarfleur, in which office he ocean in 1419 ; * though the contents of 
this Letter fix its date to the 8th Hen. V. A. D. 1421. 

Sir Hug^ was of Minebed in Somersetshue. In 1399 1st Hen. IV^» 
he was in the suite of Peter Courtney captain of Calais : and, in 1402, 
was twice employed by Henry the Fourth in negodations with France. 
In 1404 he held the Office of Mayor of Bourdeaux. ^ 



Wel, excellent, and myghtyfiill Prince, my re- 
doubtabel and souverain Lord, I zowr meke and trewe 
lige<^ recommande me imto zowr heje and soveraine 
noblesce as mekely as I can or may. Unto the whyche 
lyke, to wyte, that wyth all lowljrnesse, I have y re- 
cejTved zowr worshipfiill Lettres the whiche of zowr 
benigne Grace ze have enclyned zow to sende imto me; 
not having reward imto my simplenesse of my person^ 
but to the exaltation of zowr heye discretion ; in as 
much as I am imworthy therto : be the which I have 
undurstonde that the Creatour of all thyng, of hise 
heygh pourveance, hath used zow in herte to bryng 
zow unto the conclusion of perpetual pes betux ^ the 

» Rym. Foed. torn. ix. p. 674. >> See the Ncmnan and Frendi Rolls. 

< liege. 4 betwixt 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 85 

two Remes that ever owt of mende of ony Cronicles 
han ben in discention, schewyng zow fortune to con- • 
elude and bring at an ende that noo man kynde mjght 
hyr bifore^ have i wroght : thank3mg God wyth meke 
herte that he hath i send unto me that grace to abjde 
that tjrme for to seye hyt, as for the gretist gladnesse 
and consolation that ever come unto my herte: not 
dred3mg in my self that he that hath send zow that 
grace in so schort a tyme, schal send zow moch more 
in tyme comyng. And as towchjmg my simple per- 
sone, zif zow lyke to wy te, at the makyng of this Let- 
tre I was desesed of my persone be the hond of owr 
Creatour, in so moch that I may not excerce myne 
OflSce as my will were, as zowr trewe knyght S*^. John 
Colville and Master Pierres your phisician^ schuU 
enfourme zow more playnely than I may write unto 
zow at this tyme ; for in this sith ^ in the bailliage of 
Caux, ne in the march of Picard, blessed be God, ther 
ys no ster3mg of none evyl doers, saf <* byonde the 
rivere of Sajoie, toward the basse of Normandy of cer- 
tains brigaunts.e And when God of hys grace fowch 
saf to bryng me owt of hise prison, I schal gouveme 
me in the exercise of myn office at zowr worship, and 
as I am i hold for to doo. 

And as towch3n[ig my worshipfuU lord the Duke of 



* here before. 

t> Pien or Peter de Alcobasse, who«e services as Physician were rewarded 1*^ Hen. 
VI. with a prebendal stall at Windsor. See Rym. Feed. vol. x. p. 363. 
< time.. <* save. * brigands. 



86 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

Bedford zowr brother, atte hys arrivayl I rood agajii 
hym to the Kyef de Caux, and told hjm the poverte 
of this Countre. Wher uppon he gouvemed hjrm and 
all zour men in hise company in swych maner^ that all 
thyse countre blesseth hjnn and hyse meyny in swych 
wyse, that I have ihad noo complainte of ham eftir hyse 
partyng. Wherfore, be my simple discretion, he ys 
thankworthy, the which I remete unto zowr hygh 
discretion. 

More can not I say at this tyme ; but I pray unto 
God of hys grace encresce zow in worship, prosperite, 
and perfit joye, and send zow good lif, and long lastyng. 
I write at zour town of Harefleu the vj'^. of June. 

Zowr meke lyge 

HUGH LUTTRELL. 

A treshault et tresexcellent 
Prince notre tresredoubte et tres- 
souverain S^*. le Roy de France et 
d'£ngleterre. 



LETTER XXVIII. 

Letter of the Tenants of Lord Powys respecting the 
capture of Sir John Oldcastle, 

[cLAtrs. 88. HEN. 5.m.24. dors. MS. boi^at. mu8.brit. 4602. ar^. 179.] 

*^* The circumstances attending the execution of Sir John Oldcastle, 
in 1418, as a follower of Wicliffe's doctrines, are, no doubt, known to 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 87 

most of the readers of this Work. They would not have been even 
alluded to here, had not a Letter occurred which at least settles a discre- 
pancy, if it does not correct an error in some of our Historians. Even the 
judidous Lingard says, '^ In the Rolls, the capture of Oldcastle seems to 
be attributed to Lord Powis ; but Heame has published a Writ, dated 
Dec. 1st in which it is expressly asserted that he was taken by 81B, 
Edwa&d Cha&ltok."* 

The fact was, as we learn from the following Letter, written by the 
very persons who took Sir John Oldcastle, that Sir Edward Charlton 
and Lord Powit were the same person. It is evident too that the Lord 
Powis had the reward conceded to him personally, which the King had 
oSaxd for the apprdiension of Sir John, and agreed privatdy to satisfy 
the daim of his tenants. 

Sir John Oldcastle as appears from Pat 5 Hen. V. m. 10. dors, was 
first secured in Pole, that is Powis Castle, whence he was brought to 
London before the Council. 



We Jevan and GrufFuth, sones of GrufFuth ap Je- 
van ap Madoc ap Gwennoys, of Powys Londe, gen- 
tilmen, Hoel ap Gruffith ap David ap Madoc, and 
Dero ap Jevan ap Jorum ap Ada of the same Lond, 
zemen, ^ tenauntz to sire Edward Charletoun knyght 
Lord of Powys, and takeres of Sir John Oldcastell, that 
was myscreant and unboxome to the lawe of God, and 
traitour convicte to oure gracious Soveraigne Lord and 
his Henry kyng of Englond aftyr the conquest the V**^. 
thonkenc our said Soveraigne Lord in as lowely wyse, 
and with as hole hert as we in oure simple manere con 
deuyse, that hit hath liked him of his gracious goode- 
nesse for to remembre his notarie proclamation made 
thorgh his Boialme by his hie commaundement of the 

• Tit Liv. Heame, p. 210. <> ycoinen. « thanking. 



88 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

guerdon and reward by bis bie discression appoynted 
to bym tbat mizt bave tbat fortune and grace to ben 
takers of tbe said Jobn Oldcastell, for tbe wbieb guer- 
doun and reward oure said Lord of Powys, by tbe gra- 
douse governance and assent of oure said Soveraigne 
Lord, base compownyd witb us and fynaly accorded, so 
tbatweandeverycb of us ben fully satisfied and agreond, 
after oure owne desire and plaisir, in pleyn accom- 
plisement and excusation of tbe Proclamation aforsaide; 
of tbe wycb guerdoun and rewarde we bold us fynaly 
agrent » and content for evermore. 

In witnessyng wberof to tbis oure present Letters 
we bave ysette oure Scales in tbe bie and noble presence 
of oure said Soveraigne Lord, and also of tbe bie and 
mygbty Prince tbe Due of Gloucestre brotbir unto 
oure Soveraigne Lord byforsaid, and also of Umfray 
Erie of Stafford, Jobn Lord Fomy vail, and of otbir 
mony mo wortby and gret, of diverses degrees, at tbat 
tyme tbey beyng present. Y made at Sbrosbery the 
iiij^*' day of Marcb tbe yere of oure said Soveraigne 
Lord tbe viij^^. b 

Sib John Oldcastle's execution was attended with dicumstanoes of 
unusual barbarity. He was burnt, suspended by chains from a gaUows. 

* agreant, agreed. 

i> Then follows the endorsemoit, 

*' Et Memorandum quod praeaicti Jevan et Grufi'uth fiL GrufiUth ap Jevan ap 
Gwenuoyg de Powys land, geutilmen, Hoel ap Gr*. ap David ap Mad. et Dero ap 
Jevan ap Jorum ap Ada, de Powys land, venerunt coram Johanne de Talbot Domino 
de FoumyvaU apud Watlcsburgh, vieesimo die Aprilia anno prsesenti, virtute Brevjs 
Domini Regis, dedimus potestatcm eidem Johanni ac Abbati beati Petri Salop, 
directl, et in filaciis Cancellar. cjusdem Domini Regis de hoe anno residentis, et re^ 
cognovcrunt scripturo praedictum et omnia ooutenta iu eodem in forma praedicta." 



ORIGINAL LETTEES. 89 

Till buming became a moie frequent punishment for heretics, the mode 
appears to have varied. In one instance, in the reign of Henry Uie Fourth, 
the sufierer was inclosed in a cask. Prince Henty, afterwards King Henry 
the Fifth, was present at the execution, and hearing the wretched lowing 
of the victim in the barrel, ordered the fire to be drawn away and the 
cask to be opened, offering the half dead sufferer his life and a daily 
aillowance of threepence from the Exchequer, if he would recant. The 
heretic refused. He was again inclosed in his cask, and consumed. The 
details of this singular execution are given in the note below from Wal- 
singham.* Henry the Eighth and Queen Mary chained their sufferers 
opoily to a stake. 



LETTER XXIX. 

Richard Clifford bishop of London^ to King Henry tJie 
Vth. concerning cm intended Embassy to the Pope. 

[mS. COTTOK. BRIT. MUS. CLEOP. E. II. foL 359. Ofig-] 

*«* Richard Clifford was tran8lated> from the See of Worcester to 
London, Oct 13th, 1407* He died Aug. 20th, 1421. In 1417, he was, 
with several other English bishops, at the Council of Constance. The 
date of this Letter is fixed to the last year of the bishop's life, dame Joan 
North, mentioned in it, being in that year consecrated Abbess of Syon.^ 

Syon, it will be remembered, was of the foundation of King Henry the 
Fifth, in 1414 

» It was in the year 1410. He says, *' Facto Parliamento Londiniis, sub diebua 
Quadiagesiinset quidam laknis, arte faber, dum pertinadter defendit banc baeredm, 
qudd Tiddioet non est corpus Christi quod sacramentaliter tractatur m Eodesia, sed 
res qusedam inanimata, pejor bufone vel anmea, qiue sunt animalia animata, nee 
vellet opinionem istam deserere* traditus est Judido seculari. Cumque dainnatus 
esset, et in SmitJ^fM includkndus DOLiOfdominusprinceps Henricus (Regis pximo- 
genitus) qui tunc afPait, ad eum accessit, consuluit, monuit ut resipisoeret: sed 
n^giexit (perditus nebulo) tanti Prindpis monita, et el^t potiilM se comburendum, 
quam sacramento vivifioo deferre reverentiam. Quapropter dolio includitur, 
^ffUgitur a devorante fiamma, muoitquk miwrabWiter inter ineendiam : damore 
cujus bcmribili dominus Piinoeps motus, jussit ignis materiam ab eo subtrahi,ardoTem 
loogius amoveri. C<»isolatur pend mortuum, promittans nunc etiam victunun se, 
et consecuturum veniam, ac singulis diebus vitse suae (si xedpisoeret) de flsoo regio 
ties denarios percepturum, sed miser (refocillato spixitu) respuit tantse dignationis 
oblationem, (mm dubium quin maligno spuritu induraturus). Quamobrem jussit 
dominus Pxinceps eum itsrum rscludi dolio, gratiam nuUam consecuturum de 
reliquo, unde oontigit qudd illic ad fiivillas uisit aidaIio« miaenbiliter mortuus in 
peoosto suo." Edit 1574. p. 421. 

> MS. Cole, Briu Mus. vol. xxvii. foU 214 b. 



90 OEIGIKAL LETTERS. 

Ryght excellent and most Cristene Prince and gra- 
ciouse lige Lord, I youre symple preest and bedeman 
recomaunde me to youre roial Majeste as lowly as I 
kan or may, desiryng alwey with al mjn herte to here 
glad and graciouse tyd3mgges of the hele and good 
speed of your graciouse persone, and of alle my lordys, 
and of alle othere that ben in youre honorable servise ; 
the whiche God of his grete grace kepe in hele, joy, and 
prosperite, with victory of alle youre enemys as youre 
Hyghnesse kan best devise. Thankyng yow lowly 
with al myn herte of the grete grace that it liked youre 
seyd Hyghnesse to do to me, now late foryevyng me 
graciously the eschapes of the clerkes convictes out of 
my prison of Storteford. And for I suffise not to 
thanke yow fully ther of, I beseche God Almyghty that 
he thanke yow ther that it may be most profitable to 
yow bothe of soule and body. Ryght excellent Lord, 
it liked to youre seyd Hyghnesse not longe agon to 
wry te to me youre symple preest, that it was youre will 
that I scholde made me redy for to wende with othere 
certeyn persones in youre honorable Ambassiate to oure 
holy fadir the Pope, of the whiche matire I have alwey 
sitthe abyde, and redy with Goddys grace schal be at 
alle tymes to obbeye youre noble comaundementys, as 
youre worschipful knyght sire John Colvyle, berere of 
this lettre, kan schewe to youre seyd Hyghnesse. And 
also ryght graciouse Lord, like it yow to weten that, on 
Sunday the fyft day of May, I was at youre Hows of 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 91 

Syon, and there confenned the eleccions of dame Jhone 
North abbesse, and of sire Thomas Fyschbume, my 
welbelovyd cousyn, confessour of youre seyd Hows ; 
and that same day I blessyd and stallyd the forseyd 
abbesse ; the whiche persones I truste, by Goddys grace, 
schal moche profite in that place in that holy company 
bothe of men and of women, the whiche God of his 
mercy graunte. And graciouse lige Lord like it to 
youre seyd Highnesse to lete me wete youre graciouse 
will, by sum that cometh hyder, touch)mg my goyng, 
to the whiche will I schal alwey with Goddys grace 
lowly obbeye. Right excellent and most Cristene 
Prince and graciouse lige Lord, the holy Trinite have 
yow ever in his kep)mg, and sende yow alwey gloriouse 
victory of alle youre enemys. Wryten in hast at 
London the xx-*». day of May. 

Youre symple preest and bedeman, 

RICHARD Bysshop of London, 



^ ■•■ s. 'W s ■- ^ -t 



LETTEKS 



OF 



THE REIGNS OF 



HENRY THE SIXTH 



AXO 



EDWARD THE FOURTH, 



The Letters which have occurred to the Editor of these Volumes of 
the leigns of HENRY the SIXTH and EDWARD the FOURTH, 
are oomparativeiy few ; though seyeral will he found amongst them which 
lend no ordinary li^t to History. This eventful period, though removed 
ftom us scarcely more than three Centuries, is still among the darkest 
on our Annals. Its records are confused, mutilated, and disjointed. 
They who wrote History in it, had no talents for the task; and there was 
a ferocity abroad among the partisans of both the rival Houses, which 
prevented numy ftom. even assembling the materials of History. 

Of Makoa&et of Anjou, the Queen of Henry the Sixth, no Letters 
have occurred : though it is probable that some must exist, either in 
En^ish or French. The only memorials of this remarkable woman io 
be found in the British Museum, are, a Book which was presented to her 
by Talbot Eail of Shrewsbury, and the original Minutes of the Agree- 
ment for her ransom, signed by Louis the Xlth, in 1475. The Book is 
ornamented with a limmng of the presentation of it to her and the King, 
and has her device the marguerite^ or daisy, frequently repeated on its 
margins, with the following Sonnet addressed to her by the Earl of 
Shrewsbury, at the bottom of the first leaf: 

" Mod seul desir 

Au Roy et VouSf 
EtUenservir 
JuBqu'au mouiir. 

Cesachenttous. 
Mon leul desir 

Au Roy et Vous." 

The Agreement for the ransom of Margaret of Anjou, dated Oct. 2, 
1475, stUes her simply «^ Dame Marguerite, fille de Roy de Sedlle, a 
present detenue par le Roy d'Angleterre, et par son ordonnance em- 
pesch^" Baudier states that this unfiortunate heroine died of giief in 
1482, in the parish of Dampierre near Saumur, at the house of Francis 
de la Vignolle seigneur de Moraens, who had been one of the chief 
officers in the household of her father King Rene. She was buried in 
the magnificent tomb of her father, but without any epitaph or inscrip- 
tion peculiar to her : but what was wanting to her honour in this respect, 
he adds, was in some measure supplied in a different way ; for every 
year, upon the feast of All Saints, the chapter of St Maurice, after 
vespers of the dead, made a semicircular procession about the tomb, and 
sang a Subvenite for the Queen.* This custom, the Editor is assured, 
was continued till the breaking out of the French Revolution. 

» Baudier'8 Hist of the Calamities of Margaret of Anjou Queen of England. 
S» Lond. 1787, pp. 101, 193. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 95 



LETTER XXX. 

Thomas Hostel to King Henry the Sixths for alms. 

[m8. dovat. brtt. mvs. 4603. art. 100. a. d. 1422.] 

*^* A Letter ftom a wounded Soldier, who had fought at Azhicourt, 
to the Council of his Sovereign, for the King was then an in&nt, has a 
daim upon the feeUngs of the generous. 

At that period hospitals for decayed soldiers were unknown ; standing 
annies not having heen established, the soldier^s character was not distinct 
from that of the citizen ; when disabled in war, his only resource was the 
receipt of alms* 

Of Thomas Hostel it is probable no other memorial now exists. 

The taking of the Carracks, mentioned in this Xietter, occurred at the 
relief of Hajrifleur in 1416. Hardjmg the chronicler, who was likewise 
there, has a chapter '^ Of the battle of the Seine, and of the Carracks 
there taken in the Sea afore the mouth of Seine." Hall speaking of this 
Engagement, says, ^' After long fight the Victory fell to the Englishmen, 
and they toke and sunk almost the whole Navy of Fran<9e, in the which 
were many ships, hulks, and carracks, to the number of five hundred, of 
the which three great Carracks were sent into England.** 



To the Kyng oure Soverain Lord 
Besechith mekely youre poure liegeman and hum- 
ble horatour Thomas Hostell, that in consideration 
of his service doon to your noble progenitours of ful 
blessid memory Kyng Henrj the iiij^**. and Kyng Henri 
the fift, whoos soules God assoille ; being at the Siege 
of Harflewe, there smyten with a springolt » through 
the hede, lesing his oon ye, ^ and his cheke boon broken ; 

■ The springolt was a dart» thrown from the Espringal* and had brass plates, in- 
stead of feathers, to make its flight steady. 
>> eye. 



96 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

also at the Bataille of Agingoourt, and after at the 
takyng of the Carrakes on the See, there with a gadde 
of yren his plates smyten in sondre, and sore huit, 
maymed, and wounded ; by meane whereof he being 
sore febeled and debrused, now falle to greet age and 
poverty ; gretly endetted ; and may not helpe himself; 
havyng not wherewith to be susteyned ne releved but 
of menes^ gracious almesse; and being for his said 
service never yit recompensed ne rewarded, it plese 
your high and excellent Grace, the premises tenderly 
considered, of your benigne pitee and grace, to releve 
and refresh your said pouere Oratour, as it shal plese 
you, with your most gratious Almesse at the reverence 
of God and in werk of charitee ; and he shal devoutly 
pray for the soules of your said noble Progenitours, 
and for your moost noble and high estate. 



LETTER XXXI. 

Sir Thomas Rokeby to Humphry Duke (^ Gloucester^ 
A, D, 1423. respecting his Covenant of military 
Service with King Henry the Fifth. 

[ms. donat. BRIT. Mus. 4603. art. 121.] 

*^* Written Indentures of military Service are of frequent occuirenoe 
in the reign of Henry the Fifth ; and show the manner in which an Army 
was raised and kept together for a foreign expedition. 

» mens. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 97 

Contracts were made hj the Keeper of the Privy Seal with different 
Lords and Grentlemen, who bound themselves to serve with so many men 
at arms and so many archers for a year, reckoning from the day on which 
they first mustered in the field. The pay, or security for its amount, was 
directed to be delivered to the contracting parties a quarter of a year in 
advance : and if all was not actually paid at the beginning of the fourth 
quarter, the engagement was to cease. 

From the Letter here copied, it should seem that upon the part of the 
Crown, in Henry the Fif&*s reign, the latter portion of the covenant was 
not always rigidly fulfilled. 



To the hyghe and myghty Prince the Duk 
of Glouc. Protectour of Ynglond, and the 
right wyse and discrete Counseyl of our 
Lord the Kyng. 

Besecheth your humble servaunt Thomas Rokeby 
knyght, that ther he has ben withholde and of retenue 
for a yere wyt the full worthy and noble Kyng Henry, 
fader to our soveraigne liege Lord that nowe ys, in his 
viage into hys Realme of France & Normandie, the 
yer of his regne the iiij^*^. als it, be^ hys endenture 
made, betwix the forsayd noble Kyng and the forsayd 
Thomas Rokeby, pleinli appiers; and his forsayd 
retenu for the yer forsayd pleinly execute and fulfellid, 
and so forth be comandement of the forsayd ful noble 
Kyng his service and devure continued fro yere to 
yer, unto four yer was nere spendid and passid, als it 
be a certeins endentures made also betwix the forsayd 
Kyng and the forsayd Thomas Rokeby pleinly ap- 

» by. 
VOL. I. SER.2. H 



98 ORIGINAL LKTTERS. 

piers; for the whilk time a gret part of the wagez 
of the forsayd Thomas is behynde and nowth^ p&yd 
hym to gret hynderyng and annentifyng^ : bot if your 
graciouse Lordshippis and help in this mater to him 
be shewyd, lyke it to zour wyser discretions and gra- 
douses Lordshippis, to comande the Tresorer and Ba- 
rons of the Chekerc of our Lord Kyng to here his 
Acompt in this matere and certifie yow of the end of 
the forsayd Acompt : and aftre that to ordeigne that 
the forsayd Thomas myght be agreed of the areragez 
of his forsayd wagez als reson and conscience askys in 
discharging of the forsayd ful noble Kyng, and for the 
dede of Charite. 



The request of this Letter was complied with. On the 15th of May 
1423, the Coundl directed their warrant to the Treasurer of the Exchequer 
to ascertain the amount due to the Petitioner, whose claim was satisfied 
upon the 18th. 

Indentures of foreign military service were of a date much earlier than 
the fifteenth Century. Among the Cottonian Charters*^ there is a short 
deed of Agreement, in old French, of Adam de Gksemue with Prince 
Edward, afterwards King Edward the First, in 1270, to go with him to 
the Holy Land and remain with him one year, the Prince giving him for 
the service of himself and suite six hundred marks. 

In domestic war, upon invasion or rehetlion, the process was shorter. 
The King addressed his letters of summons to his military tenants, and 
to the sheriffs of counties. An array was made, and all met upon a fixed 
day at a rendezvous. The absentees, as in the instance of Owen Olyn- 
dowr, were considered disobedient subjects. 



* nought. >* thwarting, or going against 

• exchequer. •• Cart, antiq. Cotton, xxix. 65. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 99 



LETTER XXXII. 

King Henry the Sixth to his unde John Duke of 

Bedford. 

[m8. donat. BRIT. Mus. 4603. art, 112.] 



Right trusti and most beloved Uncle we grete 
yow wel with al our herte, and signifie unto yow as for 
your consolation that at the tyme of the writing of 
these, thanked be God, we were in perfite hele of per- 
sone, tristing to our Lord that as we desire in sembla- 
ble wise ye so be. 

And for as moche as we and our Coynsail hier been 
acertained, as wel be the effecte and evidence of your 
werkes as be the credible reportes and writinges 
maad unto us and to our said Counsail, fro tyme to 
tyme, of the singulier diligence and the ful notable 
service thatye do on unto us in gouvemance of oure 
Reaume of Fraunce, as wel as of our Duchie of Nor- 
mandie, we thanke our Lord therof and yow as hertily 
as we kan, willing and also praying yow alwey to con- 
tinue evyr fro wel to better, as we ne doute in no wise 
with the Grace of oure Lord, but that ye so wol : and 
considering that in aoomplishing of your desire we send 
now unto yow the B. of L. » also oure diere and wel- 

• Bishop of London. 

H S 



100 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

beloved cosin the Erila Marshal, and the Lord Wilby, 
with notable puissaunce of yis oure Reaume of Eng- 
lond. 

We desire and pray yow, at thaire comyng unto 
yow, ye receyve and demene hem, and also ordeine 
hem to be tretid and demenyd benyngly and favorably, 
so that they ne have no resonable cause of grutching, 
greve, nor complaint, but that thay and thaire fela- 
ship have cause to rejoise hem and contente hem of 
thaire comyng unto yow in our servise, and that as 
wel thay as other of oure sugites hiere take therbe^ 
corage and wiUe to goon thither at al tymes when 
oure behoof shal asshid. 

And as towardes oure bel Uncle of Excestre, whom 
oure Lord now late visitid with seknesse, blessid mote 
Crod be, he is rekiveryd and with his Grace shal be 
with yow in al goodly haste ; whoom and other that 
we send now unto yow to assiste yow, as for the tyme, 
in Counsail, we pray yow goodly and effectuelly to 
hiere in swiche thinges as thay shal avise yow oi^ fro 
tyme to tyme, for the worship of Crod, the goode of 
us and of yow, and of oure Reaumes and Duchie 
abovesaid ; willing also that ye geve faith and credence 
to that that the said Bishop of London &c. shal say 
on to yow on oure behalve : and Almyghty God &c. 
Yeven at Westmynstre the xv. day of May. 

• Earl*. '» thereby. 



OKIGINAI, LETTBRk. 101 



LETTER XXXIII. 

Henry Beaufort Bishop ofWmcheater to Kmg Henry 
the Sixths requestmg leave to go on Pilgrimage, 

[mS. cotton. MUS. BRIT. CLEOP. £. III. foL 30 b. Or%g,'\ 

*^* This Letter was evidently written after the termination of the 
quarrd between the Bishop and Humphry Duke of Gloucester, in 
1426. 

Philip Morgan bishop of Ely, whose signature appears to it as one of 
the Lords of the CSoundl granting its request, received the temporalities 
of his See on April the 22d in that year ; and Beaufort, at the beginning 
of the next, was created cardinal. 

It seems probable that upon the zeconciliation at the Parliament of 
Leicester, when each party took the other by the hand, the Bishop, seeing 
how little chance there was at that time of supplanting the Protector's 
power, turned his thoughts to the fulfilment of his early Vows of 
Pilgrimage. 

The arrival of the Cardinal's hat, however, induced him to defer them 
again. He re-assumed his haughty tone ; * and finding himself placed 
under the more immediate protection of the Papal See, called and signed 
himself the Cardinal of England ; ^ though his real title was that 
of Cardinal of St. EuteUut, 

The Councfl, as the signatures at the bottom of the Letter show, gave 
him leave to take his journey ; and were probably disappointed that he 
did not pursue it. 

» The intemperate Letter which brought the Duke of Bedford from France^ to ad- 
just the quarrel between the Bishop and the Protector* is printed both by Fabyan 
and HaU: 

" Right high and mighty Prince, and right noble and, after one, levest earthly 
Lorde, I recommende me unto your Grace with all my harte. And as ye desire the 
welfare of the Kyng our sovereigne Lorde, and of his realmes of England and of 
Fraunce, and your owne weal with all yours, hast you hither: for, by my truth, and 
ye tarry long. We ahaUput this lande in ajupaidy with a fbldb, gitche a bbothxr 
YOU HAVB HKBB ; God make hym a good man. For your wisedom luioweth that the 
profite of Fraunce standeth in the welfare of England."—" Written in great hast at 
London the last day of October, by your true servatint to my lifes ende, 

** HBNBY WINCHBSTBR." 

>> This was his signature also, in public Instruments. 






• • • 



• • • • 



108 .\OliIVINAL LETTERS. 

• • *•• 
.• • • • 

\^ I^OLthe King my Souverain Lord. 
.Bese^eth youre humble chappellain Henry 
Qi^6p of Winchestre, that forasmuche as he standeth, 
• \ • r^ahd longe hath stande bounde^ under a vowe of cer- 
tain pilgrimages beyond See, havyng of the said pil- 
grimages right greet charge and conscience, forasmiche 
as he hath long differred to parfourme them: con- 
sidered, yif hit hke youre Highnesse, youre said hum- 
ble Chapellains long continuance in youre service, 
which his intencion hath ben att alle tymes too doo 
with al trouthe and diligence to his littel poair. Like 
it youre noble Grace, by the advis of youre Counsail, 
to graunte youre licence unto youre said humble Cha- 
pellain, he, att his owen fredam and hbertee, by suf- 
fisaunt warrant to be maad hym therupon unto youre 
Chauncellor by your Lettres of privie Seal, for to 
mowe passe the See in parfourm}nig of the said avowe, 
and that att such tyme and place, and with such 
resounable felauship as hym shal good thinke and 
necessarie. 

(Signed helow) 

JOHAN. H. i^LOUCESTEB. H. CANTUAR. 

J. EBOR. Ccmc. T. EXET. T. DUNELM. p. ELIEN. 
J. BATHON. HUNGERFOBD. TY1»T0T. CROMWEL. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 103 



LETTER XXXIV. 

William Warbeltcni to the Duke of Gloucester and 
the Council^ claiming the reward for talcing Jack 
Sharpe, 

[cart. ANTIQ. cotton. BRIT. MUS. IV. 24.] 

*«* The Persecution of the followers of Widiff continued in tiie 
leign of Henry tiie Sixtii. 

Fabyan, in his Chronicles, under tiie year 1431, says, '^ Soon upon 
Easter, the Lord Protector was warned of an assembly of Hereticks at 
Abjmdon ; wherefore he sent thither certain persons, or rode tiiither him- 
self as some writers affirm, and there arrested the bailif of that Town 
named WiUiam MaundevyU, a weaver, the which was appointed for a 
captain of tiie said hereticks : and for to draw tiie people unto him, he 
changed his name, and called himself Jak Sharpe of Wygmoris lande 
in Wales. But after he was examined, h^ confessed to have wrought 
much sorrow against Priests, so tiiat he would have made their heads as 
chepe as sheeps heads, so that he would have sold iii. for a penny, or x. 
after some writers. And tiie same season were taken many of his com- 
plices which were sent unto divers prisons. And the said Jak Sharpe 
was, for his ofience, drawen, hanged, and headed at the forenamed town 
of Abyndon, upon the Tuesday in Whitsun week ; and his head was sent 
to London, and there pight upon the bridge : and the otiier of his fautors 
wpre put in execution in divers places and countries to the terror of 
other."* 

Stowe, who has followed Fabyan*s account nearly in the same wends, 
in his Annals, adds the positive assertion that the I>uke of Gloucester 
went against these hereticks in person. ^ 



* Fabyan, Chron. edit isil* p. 603. 

k Annals, edit 1603, p. 601. This Insurrection is also mentioned in Leiand's 
Collectanea, torn. i. p. 491. 



104 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

To the high and mighty Prince my lord 
of Gloucestr, and to all the lordes of the 
Counseil. 
Besechith William Warbelton esquier, that hit 
like yo'' Lordshippes to be remembred of a Proclama- 
cion made on the Eyngs behalf, be the advis of his 
wise Counseill, for the taking of Jak Sherp, and of the 
bille casters and kepers, and more over to have in 
knowelech that the Thorsday at even next befofe 
Whitsonday, the said suppliaunt be his frendes was 
enfoormed howe that oon William Perkyns, which 
called hym self Jak Sherp, was withdrawe into a cer- 
ten place in Oxenford, and of whom the saide sup- 
pliaunt lete you have knowelech before the saide pro- 
clamacion; wherefore the said suppliant incontenent, 
tfie same nyght, sent his servaunts to the Chauncellor 
of Oxenford and his commissarie, and also to the 
baillifs of the same Towne, chargyng hem on the 
kings behalfe to putte the smd William Perkyns under 
arest, and kepe him saufly, without baile or maunprise, 
unto the Kyng, be thadvis of you my Lordes, had 
other wise purveied for his deliveraunce : be the which 
sendyng, the saide William Perkyns that same nyght 
was arest, and kept til execucion was doon of hym 
after his desert : for which cause, as well as for other 
labours and costes that he hadde to help cese the riot 
that was like to a growe in that behalfe, in as much as 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 105 

lay to his symple power, humblely besechith yo^ gra- 
ciouse lordshippes to ordeyne hym a rewarde after yo*" 
wise discrecions like as you semeth he hath deserved. 

Here follow, in their respective hancU-writiiig, the names of the Lords 
who were sitting in Council when the letter was received : 

" H. GLOUCESTRE. H. CANTUAR. 

S. DUNELM. J. ROFFEN. W. LINCOLN. 

J. EBOR. CANC. 

J. NORFF. J. BATHON.'' 

and at the back is an Order for a reward of twenty pounds to be given 
to Warbelton : 

'* XXIX". die Novembr. A^. x^, apud Westm. concess. fuit infrascript 
suppL waiant. Thes. Camerar. de solvendo sibi xx^^ virtute pr . . al 
fact ex causa infrascript. presentibus dominis infra scriptis.^ 



»» 



Here we have no mention of William Mandeville the bailif of 
Abingdon. On the contrary, Jack Sharpens true name is stated to have 
been William Perkins : and he was taken, not at Abingdon, but at 
Oxford. The truth of Warbelton's narrative of this Insurrection must 
be considered more authentic than Fabyan*s, since even the Protector 
himself (of whose going against the Insurgents nothing is said) signs at 
the head of the Council for the reward. 

William Warbelton, the writer of this Letter, was made constable of 
the Castle of Odiham in Hampshire in 1457." 



LETTER XXXV. 

Letter of Warrant Jrom King Henry the Vlth. to the 
Bishop ofBath^ his Chancellor ^ in 1441, concerning 
the exile qfEleamor Duchess of Gloucester. 

[ms. laksd. BRIT. Mus. KUM. 1. art, 33. Or%g,'\ 

*,* Fabyan and Stow supply the best preface to this Letter. ^< This 
xix*'* yere," says Fabyan, " began murmur and grudge to break at 

* Pat. 35 Hen. VI. p. 2. 



106 OaiGlNAL LETTERS. 

laige, that before had been kept in mewe, atwene penons near about 
the King and his uncle the famous Humphry duke of Gloucester and Fro- 
tector of die land ; again whom divers conjectures were attempted afar, 
whidi after were set near to him, so that they left not till they had 
brought him unto his confusion. And first, this year, dame Eleanor 
CoUuun, whom he was too familiar with or she were to him married, was 
arrested of certain points of treason, and thereupon by examination con. 
vict, and lastly demed to dwdl as an outlaw in the Isle of Man, under 
the ward of Sir Thomas Stanley knight : and soon after were arrested as 
aiders and counsellors of the foresaid duchess, master Thomas Southwell 
a canon of St. Stephen^s chapel at Westminster, master John Hum a 
chaplain of the said duchess, and master Roger Bolyngbroke a man ex- 
pert in necromancy, and a woman called Maigery Jourdemajme sumamed 
the witch of Eye beside Winchester : to whose charge it was laid that 
these four persons should, at the request of the said duchess, devise an 
image of wax like unto the King, the which image they dealt so with, 
that by their devilish incantations and sorcery they intended to bring out 
of life, little and little, the King^s person, as they little and little con- 
sumed that image : for the which treason and other, finally they were 
convict and adjudged to die : but master Thomas Southwell died in the 
Tower of London the night before he should have been judged on that 
mom ; as in the next year following shall be declared.'** 

Stowe says, ^' The 9^^ of November dame Elianor appeared before the 
Archbyshop and other, in the chapel of St. Stephen Westminster, and 
received her penance which she performed. 

'^ On Monday the 13*^. of November, she came from Westminster by 
water, and landed at the Temple bridge, from whence with a taper of 
waxe of two pound in her hand, she went through Fleete streete, hood- 
less, save a kerchief, to Pauls, where she offered her taper at the high 
altar. On the Wednesday next, she landed at the Swan in Thames 
street, and then went through Bridge street, Grace-church street, 
straight to Leaden-hall, and so to Christ Church by Aldgate. On Fri- 
day she landed at Queen-hithe, and so went through Cheape to Sa3mt 
Michaels in Comhill, in form aforesaid. At all which times, the Mayor, 
Sheriffs, and crafts of London received her and accompanied her. This 
being done, she was committed to the ward of Sir Thomas Stanley, 
wherein she remained. during her life;*' first ^' in the castle of Chester, 
having yearly a hundred marks assigned for her finding. In the 22d of 
Henry the Sixth she was removed to Kenilworth." ^ 



« Fabyau's Chron. edit. 181 1. p. eu. «» stow, Ann. edit. 1G32. p. 382. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 107 

By the King. 
Reverend Fader in God, right trusty and right 
welbeloved we grete you wel. And for asmoch as we 
have ordeined oure trusty and welbeloved knight Sir 
Thomas Stanley, countrollour of oure householde, to 
have the keping of Alianore Cobham late called Du- 
chesse of Gloucestr, and, accompanied with certain per- 
sonnes of our householde, to lede hir into the parties of 
Chesshire, where as she shal abide. We wol and charge 
you that under oure Seel, being in youre warde, ye do 
make oure Writtes and Commissions in deue fourme, 
as many and such as the cas shal require, for the Shi- 
refs of the shires that she shal passe thourgh, and for 
other personnes of the same shire, as many as shal be 
thought necessary, to be awayting and assisting unto 
the conducting of hir ; and that ye charge them that 
shal lede hir forth, that thei lette not, for sekenesse or 
ony dissimulacion of hir, to carie hir thedir as we have 
appointed. And that ye faille not herof as we truste 
you. Yeven under our Signet at our manoir of Shene 
the xix. day of Januer. 



'^ Mem. quod ista litera liberata fuit Cancellar. AngL apud Westm. 
xx<*. die Januar. anno infirascripto exequent*' 

The treatment of ^^ Dame Eleanor Cobham'' as she was called, con. 
vinced the Duke of Gloucester that his influence had declined. Grafton 
says, he '^ took all things pacyently and said little.*' 

The death of the Duke of Gloucester at St fidmundsbury, in 1447, is 
one of the numerous problems of our History. 



108 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

A Maniuaipt Roll in the Cottonian Collection * gives the names o£ 
those of his letinue who were seized and imprisoned. The reader will 
probably wonder to see so many Welshmen amongst them, but, by 
the Inquisition taken after his death it appears that the Duke died 
seised of die castle and lordship of Pembroke, of the castles and lordships 
of Tenby and Kilgaran, of the commots of Estrelawe, Treyne, and Sejm- 
dere, and of the castle and lordship of Llanstephan, all in the marches 
of Wales. «► 

*' These ben die Names of the Duke of Olowcett^rs maynye^ that wer 
taken at Bery and sent into dyrerse places to preson : 

*^ Sir Henr. Owgan, 



- to London* 



Thomas Harbert, 
Thomas Wyryot, 
Griffith ap David ap Thomas, 
Yevan ap Jankyn, LL. 

Jank3m Thawe, \ 

Jankyn Loyde Wogan, v to Barkamstede. 

John Wogan, j 

William Wogan, 

Evan ap Jank3m ap Rise, J- to Redyng. 

WilL ap John ap David ap Th. Lloyd, 

WilL Wogan, 

Will, ap Thomas son of Robert ap Ryse, ]■ to Ledys. 

Henry Wogan, 

Alon appe Meredith ap Philip Madock, 

Ries app DD. app Thomas, J- to Northwidi. 

Thomas Jankjme.appe Ries, 

Oven Don, \ 

Hugo Gunere, J- to Wallyngford. 

Hugo Bennooth, j 

John Eyvon, \ 

Walter BurUiull, I to Gilford. 

Hugo ap Thomas, J 

John app Ries, ^ 

Ric. ap Robert, > to Southehampton. 

Will, ap John, J 

• Rot. antiq. Cotton. II. 33. . <> Esc. 25 Hen. VI. n. 36. 

c The suite, or train, which attended him. 






ORIGINAL LETTERS. 109 

David ap Thomas, \ 

Hug. ap Thomas, V in to the Kings Benche. 

Griffith ap Nicollasson, J 

Sir Robert Wer, -k 

Sir Roger Ghambaleyn, > to Brystowe. 

Sir John Cheyne, j 

Richard Middelton, ^ 

Henr. Chechaiey, ( ,„ Wynchatt. 
Arteys, • i 

Richard Nodam, • ^ 

Morgan, ^ 

Bokeland, V to Notyngham. 

Melbom, J 

Bassjmgbom, 'k 

Wyde, V to Northampton.** 

Shafield, j 

Fabyan, having mentioned the interment of the Duke of Gloucester at 
St Albans, says, '' And when this noble Prince was thus interred, five 
persons of his housholde, that is to say. Sir Roger Chamberlajme knight, 
Myddelton, Herbarde, and Arthure, esquires, and one Richard Nedam 
yeoman, were sent unto London, and there arraigned and judged to be 
drawn, banged, and quartered ; of the which sentence, drawing and hang- 
ing were put in execution : but when they were cut down to be quartered, 
the marquis of Suffolk there being present, shewed the Kings charter for 
them, and so were ddivoed, to the great rejoicing of the multitude of the 
people there being present.** * 

Of the particular, charge against Herbarde, called Thomas Harbert in 
die List of Names above, see the Calendarium Rotulorum Patentium, 
p. 290 b. 

> Fabyan, Chron. edit. isil. p> 619. 



110 OKIGINAI. LETTERS. 



LETTER XXXVI. 

John Earl of Oxford to King Henry the Sixthj re- 
questing a Licence for a Ship, of which fie was 
owner y to carry Pilgrims. 

[ms. donat. BRIT. Mus. 4609. art. 78.] 

*^* We have here an instance, in the fifteenth Centuiy, of a nobleman 
engaging in the speculations of trade : for, strange as it may sound, Pil- 
grims, at this time, were really an article of exportation. Ships were 
every year loaded from different ports with cargoes of these deluded wan. 
deters, who cazried out with them large sums of money to defray the ex. 
penoes of their journey. One historian assures us that licences were 
granted by King Henry the Sixth, in 1434, for the exportation of no less 
a number than two thousand four hundred and thirty three pilgrims to 
the same place of destination as the Earl of Oxford's ship, the Shrine of 
St. Jam£s of Compostixla. The gain to the owners who carried 
such numbers could not have been smalL 



To the King our Soverain Lord. 
Plese hit unto your Royall Mageste of your grace, 
especiallie to graunt unto .John Erie of Oxford, owner 
under God of a Shipp called the Jesus of Orwelle, 
that the said Shipp, without any fyn or fee to be paid 
unto you, may have licence, in the worship of God and 
of Saint James, to make the furst viage unto St. James, 
with als many persones as therinne woUe thiderward 
take their passage. Consideryng that by cause of the 
losse of another Shipp, which never made Reys in lak 
of power and strength, the .«;aid Erie hath don upon 



ORIGINAL LF.TTERS. Ill 

the said Shipp gret cost to make it the more able to 
doo you service; and to withstand ' your enemyes in 
tyme of nede. 



The following indorsement shows that the Licence was obtained: 
'^ Donne a nx^e Palais de Westm. le xxviij. jour de Feverer, Pan, 
&c. xxiij.** 

The real or supposed body of St. James was discovered at Compostella, 
in GhiUida, in 797 ; «od became almost immediately an object of pil- 
grimage. 

In the twelfth century we find several instances of visitors from 
England. Brompton gives a particular account of Henry the son of 
Henry the Second*s proposal to go there, to escape his father's super- 
intendance: and in another page he mentions Henry the Second's own 
preparations for a similar visit Dugdale, in his Baronage, notices Ber- 
tram de Verdon's pilgrimage there in, the same reign. John of Gaunt is 
said to have been numerously attended to Compostella in 1386, when he 
claimed the crown of Spain : and we find the fashion of visiting St. James's 
Shrine continued till fiur in the reign of Henry the Eighth. 

The Harleian Manuscript 433, foil. 171, 171 b, 172 b, 174. contains 
numerous Commissions of Ships to go to St. James in the 1st of Richard 
the Third. One owner, Thomas Rogers, had a licence for four ships at 
once. But at this time, we find no Noblemen named as owners. 

From the name of the Saint the pilgrims to Compostella were calkd 
Jacobites. The journey was enjoined to some as a punishment, and 
then the pilgrim carried iron shackles with him ; but in most cases it was 
voluntary ; and the devotees in many instances united trade with their 
devotion. 

The Cottonian Manuscript Vesp. F. lu. fol. 25 b. contains an original 
Letter from John VI. Duke of Britany, to King Henry the Fifth, re- 
questing the release of some Pilgrims who had been taken with a Vessel 
which was going to St James, dated Nantes, December 31st, 1416. 



112 OBIGIXAL LETTERS. 



LETTER XXXVII. 

Canjfnges and WiHiam Htdyn, sheriffs of 
LondoHj to King Henry the Sixths praying re* 
muneraiAon Jbr their expences in disposing of the 
bodies tf Mortimer and other traitors, after the re* 
beUionofl4^. 

[ics. DOXAT. BUT. Kus. 4610. art. 176.] 

*«* The Rebdlian of the Commons of Kent, in 1450, is enlarged upon 
bj most of our Historians, though none of them seem to be quite certain 
of the real name of the Captain. 

Hall and Oimfton, in speaking of the traitor Cade, say, he was entised 
to take upon him the name of John Mort ym£B« although his name 
was John Cade : ■ Fabjan, that the Common* named him Mortimer and 
coaen to the Duke of York, though of most he was named Jak Cade : ^ 
l<eland, that he was an Tri^man who named himself Mortimer : ^ and 
Stowe, that his name was Cade, though by some called John Amende- 
aU : ^ while a roll of the time of Henry the Sixth, in the Cottonian 
Library, at the end of a list of the persons indicted for this Rebellion at 
Rochester, says he was otherwise called '^ Mr. John Aylmere, phy- 
sician," and that he had wedded the daughter of an esquire.* 



» HaUe, Chion. edit 1548, fol. 169. GraftoD, p. 610. 

*> Fabyan, edit isii, p. ess. 

e Lei. CoUectan. torn. L p. 49S. from a manuscript ChxoDide. 

* Amials, edit 16S3, p. 888. 

• '* These ben the Namys that were indicted at Rowchester afore the Cardynall of 
Yorlc, Bysshop of Canfbury, and the Duke of Bolcyngham» &c. in the feste of the 
Assumption of our Lady & festo Laurencii Anno r. r. Henr. xxixo. 

" John Sutton de Dudddey in com. StaflBnrd, alias diet John Sutton miles de 
London. 

" John Trevelioun nuper de London Aimig. 

" John Say nuper de London Armig. 

" Alicia de la Poole nuper uxor Willielmi Poole Due. de Suff. nuper de Ewelme 
in comitat. Oxn. 

" Johannes Polsford nuper de London armig. 

" Thomas Kent de London gentyllman, alias diet T. K. dericus Consilii domini 
Regis. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 113 

It is not unworthy of observation that the rebels of this period expected 
popularity from connecting their Insurrections with any name belonging 
to the House of York. Jack Sharp was of fVigmore*» land in Wales : 
and Jack Cade was a Mortimer^ the cousin to the Duke of York. 

Fabyan, noticing the death of Cade, and the bringing of his body to 
Southwark, says, " Upon the morrow the de^ corps was drawn through 
the high streets of the city unto Newgate, and there headed and quartered ; 
whose head was then sent to London Bridge, and his four quarters were 
sent to four sundry Towns o^Kent." According to the present Letter, 
and we must take it as authentic, one quarter was delivered to the con. 
stable of the Hundred of Black.heatfa, and the others to the Cities of 
Norwidi, Salisbury, an4 Gloucester, where, it may be presumed, rebellion 
had either risen, or was expected. *■ 



To the Kyng oure Souveraygn Lord. 
Besechen mekely youre pouer Lieges, Thomas 

'* John Penycok nuper de London armig. 

" Thomas Hoc de Hastyng in com. Sussex miles of ... . 

" Reginaldus abbas Sancti Petri Gloucestrise of ... . 

*' Jacobus Fynys domlnus de Say. 

" T. Stanley miles. 

" Edmund Hongurford of ... , 

" William Minors arm^^. 

" Edmund Hampdene mfles. 

" J(dm Hall armig. 

" Thomas Daniell armig. 

" Thomas Thorpp gentHman. 

" John Blakeney gentilman. 

" Dn's Jolumnes Forskow of . » miles. 

" Johannes Gai^n^aon. 

'* Walt Harp EpQs Norwic. 

" Ridi. Nevile Dominus de Ryrers. 

" Robert Maofeld armig. 

" Maister John Somers. 

" Edward Grymston armig. 

" WillQs Booth Episcopus Cestrise, 

" Johannes Stanley armig. 

"Palsmer. 

'*Treisam. 

'* Fraumpage. Hampton esquier Rest. 

'* GryswokL Gargrave in the Towr. 

" This was the name of the Capteyne of Kente John Cade alias diet Mr. John 
Aylbmbrb JBIifsifuyon : and he was gayly be seyn in skarlet« and weddtd a tquier 
dowghter of Taundede.*' 

• One Robert Ponynges, late of Southwark, is named in Pat. W^ Hen. VI. p. 2, 
m. 13. as having offidated in the capacities of sword-bearer and carver to the traitor 
and tyrant J<dm Cade. 

VOL. I. SEB. 2. I 



114 OaiGINAL LETTERS. 

Canynges and William Hulyn late Shireffes of youre 
Citee of London, to concidre that wher as by your 
commandement diverse and severell writtes have be 
directed unto them undre youre Grete Seall com- 
mandyng hem such tyme as they occupied the seyd 
office by oon of your seyd writtes, to send and delyver 
a quarter of oon Nicolas Jakes atteynt of high Treson 
to the Maire and Bailliefs of youre Citee of Chichestre 
in the Countee of Sussex ; and by another of the said 
writtes to send and deliver another quarter of the seyd 
Nicolas Jakes to the Bailliefs of Roochestre in the Shire 
of Kent; and another to Portesmouth; and other 
quarter to Colchestre. And by another of youre sayd 
writtes to send and delyver the heed of oon Thomas 
Che3my, feyning him self an heremite, cleped Blew 
herd, a atteynt of high treson, to the Maire and 
Bailliefes of youre Citee of Canterbury. And by an- 
other of youre sayd writtes to sett up a quarter of the 
sayd traytour cleped Blewberd upon a gate of Lon- 
don, and to send and delyver another quarter of the 
same traytour to the Sheriefes of youre Citee of Nor- 
wich, and to send and delyver two other quarters of 
the same traytour to the Wardens of youre V. portes, 
or to their Lefilenauntes. And by another of your said 
writtes to drawe the body of another traytour callyng 
him self John Rammesey wyne drawer, and to send 

» Stowe, in his Annals, calls him Thany. He says, " The 0^. of Feliruary Thomas 
Thany, otherwise called Blewbeaxd, a fuller, was taken besides Canterbury for 
raising of a rebellion, who was hanged and quartered." 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 115 

and dely ver a quarter of hym to Stamford, and an- 
other quarter of him to Covyntre, and another quarter 
of hym to Newbury, and another quarter of hym to 
W3mchestre. And also by other severell youre writtes 
commandyng them to sett up iij. severell heedes of the 
persones abovesayd upon London Brugge. And by 
another of youre seyd writtes to do drawe the body of 
a grete traytour namyng him self Mortymer uppon 
an hurduU by the stretes of your Citee of London, and 
his head to set oxx London Brugge. . And by another of 
your seyd writtes to send and delyver a quarter of the 
seyd traytour called Mortymer to the Constables of 
the hundred of Blakheth. And by another of youre 
seyd writtes to send and delyver another quarter of 
the seyd traytour called Mortymer to the Maire and 
ShirefiPes of the Citee of Norwich. And by another to 
send and delyva: another quarter of the same tray- 
tour to the Maire of the Citee of Salesbury. And an- 
other quarter of the same Traytour to the Bailliefs of 
the Towne of Gloucestre. The which youre high com- 
mandements by youre sayd late ShirefFs were duly 
execute to there grete charges and costes, and especislUy 
for there cariages orthe quarters aforsayd, and the hed 
of the same Thomas Cheyny ; for and by cause that 
vnneth any persones durst nor wolde take upon hem 
the caridge of the seyd hed and quarters for doute of 
her lyves. Plese hit therfore un to youre Highnesse to 
commande your gradous letters of Pryvy Seall to be 

I 2' 



116 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

directed toihe Tresorer and Barons of yourEschekker, 
commandyng them that in th"* accountes that the seid 
Thomas and William ben to yeld unto you by cause 
of ther office, they allowe unto them of the feerme of 
the same youre Citee,and of the Countee of Middelsex, 
and of the issues, profitts, and comodites comyng and 
growyng of the seyd your Citee of London and of the 
Countee of Midd\ all such sommes of money as that 
they and eyther of them, or any for them or in ther 
name accountyng for them, wol make feith, that hath 
be by them and eyther of them spend and paid for and 
aboute the extention of your commandements above- 
seyd, and of everich of them, and your seyd besechers 
shall pray to God for you, 

Endorted, 



^^ De mandato Regis per avisamentum sui Consilii apud Westm. 
xxviij. Junii Anno xxix.** 

LAK6P0RT. 



LETTER XXXVIII. 

Richard Earl ofSaiishury to one of his Receivers^ to 
pay money to his Poulte7'er vn London. 

[mS. cotton. VESPASIAN F. xiii. foL 37* Ot^.] 



Richard Erl of Salisbury to John Musgrave one 
of our Receivors of diverses of our Lordeshippes, 



ORIGINAL LETTEES. 117 

landes, & tenetnentes, in the South parties gretinge. We 
wol & charge you that of the issues & revenues of the 
same comin3mg, ye pay to John Eellet of London, 
pulter, fourty ShilUnges for diverses -vitail of hym 
takyn, for the expensez of our houshold halden at 
London in the moneth of Januar. last past, and this 
present moneth of Feviare, by warrant of thies our 
Lettres. Writen under our Signet at London the xvij**» 
day of Fevyere, the yere of the reign of king Henry 
Sext sith the conquest, xxx. 

R. SALISBURY. 



LETTER XXXIX. 

The chief Persons in the County ofKildare to Richard 
Duke of York, Lord LieiUencmt of Ireland^ A. D. 
1454. giving an Account of tfie condition of the 
Country. 

{from the O&IG. AMONGiTHE COTTONIAH CHARTERS.] 

*«* Stowe says, that in 1449 there ^' began a new rebellion in Ireland, 
but Richard Duke of York being sent thither to appease the same, so 
assuaged the fury of the wild and savage people there, that he wan such 
favw among them as could nerer be separated ftom him and his lineage." 

In 1451, he left Ireland to prefer his title to the Grown of England, 
still retaining his Lieutenancy. 

In justice to the Duke of York it must be stated, that the Acts which 
were passed in the Parliament of Ireland under his administration, re- 
flect the greatest credit on his memory. 



118 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

Right hyc and mygfaty Prince and ourc right 
gracious lorde, Richard Duke of Yorke, y/e re- 
comaunde us junto you as louly as we can or may ; 
and please youre gracious Hynes tobe advertised that 
this hmde of Irland was nevir at the poynt fynaly tobe 
destrued sethen the Conquest of this lande, as it is 
now, for the trew U^e pec^le in this parties dar ne 
may not appier to the Kyngs oure said soverayn lordes 
Courtes in the said lande, ne noon other of the trew 
liege people ther, to go ne ride to market Tounes, ne 
other places, for dred to be slayne, take^ other spouled 
of thar godes ; also the mysrule and mysgovemaunce 
had, done, and dayly contynued by dyvers gentlemen 
of the Counte and youre liberte of Mith, the Countes 
of Eildare and VrieU, and namly of a variance had 
betwix therle of Wiltesshire lieutenant of this said 
lande and Thomas fitz Morice of the Geraldynes £or 
the title of the maners of Maynoth and Rathmore in 
the Counte of Kildare, hath caused more destruccionne 
in the said Counte of^ Eildare and liberte of Mith 
within shorte tyme now late passed, and dayly doth, 
then was done by Irish ennemys and English rebelles 
of long tyme befor ; and is likly tobe fynall destruc- 
cionne of the said Counte of Eildare and liberty of 
Mith. For Henry Bonyn knyght, constituted Tresurer 
of the saide lande under the grete SeaU of the said 
lande, assembling with hym Edmund BotiUer cosyn 
germayn to the said Erie of Wiltesshire and William 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 119 

Botiller cosyn to the said Erie, with thar sequele, of 
the which the moost partie was Irish ennemyes and 
English rebelles came into the said Counte of Kildare 
and ther brant and destrued dy vers and many Tounes 
and paroche Chirches of the trewe liege people, and 
toke dyyers of them prisoners and spouled them of 
ther godes. And after the departyre of the said Henry 
and Edmund, the said Wylliam, abydyng in the said 
Counte of Kildare, by the avice and consaill of the 
said Henry and Edmond, did so grete oppressionne in 
the said Counte of Kildare and in the Counte and Li- 
berte of Mith, that vij^. Tounes and more which was 
well enhabite in the feste of Seynt Michell lass passed 
been now wasted and destrued. And for asmuch as 
thes parties so destrued, with alytell partie more that 
remayneth not destrued, in the said Counte of Kildare, 
is the dayly sustenaunce of the Cite of Dyuel}m, and 
the destruccionne of hit is like tobe the fynall destruc- 
cionne of the said Cite, and the destruccionne of the 
said Cite wilbe cause of the destruccionne of the said 
lande, which God defend. The Maire and Comens of 
the said Cite wrote dyvers tymes unto the right reve- 
rend ffader in God John archiebisshop of Ardmagh 
depute lieutenant to the seid Erie of Wiltesshire to 
have this remedyed : and at har ^ instance the K}mg 
oure said Soverayne lordes Consaill here, wrote to the 
said depute lieutenant for dyvers of thes oppressionns 

> their. 



.*• 



180 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

and tnyagovamaunces that they shuld be remedyed, 
and he remedyed them not. Also the said William 
fiotill^ after this destruccionne so done assessed upon 
smale Villages and Tounes in the said Counte and 
Liberte of Mith, and in the said County of Kildare, 
certeyn summes of money to be reryd accordyng to hys 
wyll, be cause of which he and his men rered in dy vers 
of the said villages grete and notable summes of money 
and in dyvers villages toke all the plow-bestes and 
other bestes of the said villages, and the moost suf- 
ficiaunts husbandes, and held tham his prisoners, and 
ostages ther, to that ende that they shuld make fyne 
and raimson with hym ; upon the which matere the 
said Maire and Comens compleyned also by mouth 
to the said Depute, and ther upon he ordeyned no re- 
medy. And for asmuch as all this mysrule done by 
the seid Henry, Edmond, and William, by statutes 
and lawes made in the said land as well in the tyme of 
oure said sovera3m lorde as in the tyme of hys noble 
progenitoures, is treyson, and also who soever of the 
trewe liege people here, knowyng such mysrule, wold 
not aryse to arrest such mysdoers, shuld be denied fe- 
lones, the lordes and gentles of the Counte of Eildare 
consyderyng the emynent myscheve and flFynall de- 
struccionne of the said Counte, and also the desola- 
cionne of the said Cite, desired the seid Maire and 
Comens to come into the said Counte of Eildare to 
put away the said William with his sequele and to 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 121 

abride all this mysrule; upon the which they went 
with the said lordes and gentles, and, by the grace of 
Gk)d, avoided all the said mysrule out of the said 
Counte. Also please your Hynes tobe advertysed 
that the said Wyllyam Botiller^ Nicholas Wogan, 
David Wogan, and Richard Wogan, came with dy- 
vers Irish ennemys and English rebelles to the Castell 
of RathcofPy ther, as Anne Wogan sumtyme wyffe to 
Oliver Eustace, then beyng the Kynges widue,^ was 
dwellyng, and brant the yates of the said place, and 
toke hir with them and Edward Eustace, son and hire 
to the said Olyver, and sonne and heire apparant to 
the said Anne, and of the age of viij. yeres, and yit 
holdeth them as prysoners, and toke godes and catals 
of the said Anneis to the value of v.C. marks. Also 
the said Henry with agrete multitude of people, armed 
in manere of were, ^ came to Osbornestone in the said 
Counte, an ther toke and enprisoned Cristofre Flatesby , 
and destrued and wasted the said Toune, and toke all 
godes and catals of the said Cristofre to the value 
of C''. 

Besechyng youre gracious remedy and help upon 
all thees materes; and for asmuch as thees materes 
been trewe and that it wold please youre Hynes to 
yeve faith and credence to thes premisses. We Nicho- 
las Pfiour of the H(ms o^Conall, Edward fitz 
Eustace knyght, Portreves and Comens of the 

• disposable in marriage by the King. bd. b war. 



122 ORIGINAL L£TTERS. 

NaaSf PoBTREVEs and Comens qfClatiei William 
FiTz Eustace, Cristofre Flatesby, Nicholas 
Sutton, Walban fitz Eustace, Cbistofke fitz 
Eustace, Patbik fitz Mo^ice, James Lang, 
Phelip Bbytt, Bobebt fitz Eustace, John 
Sauuere, and John White, have put to this oure 
Seales. Written at the Naas the xxiij. day of Januery 
the yere of the reane of the Kuig oure Soverayne lord 
that now is xxxij^. 



The Haddan Manuscript num. 433. foL 265 b. contains the ^^ In- 
strucdons given by Richard the Third to his Counsellor the Bisshop 
of Enachden, to be shewed on his behalf to his cousyn the Earl of 
Dessemond and other nobles and gentiles of his land of Ireland," in the 
first year of his reign. He adverts in them to the government of his 
father the Duke of York. 

'^ Furst, where the said Bishop hath enfourmed his said Grace of the 
good toward diposidon and herty desire that the said Erie hath for to doo 
him pleasur &, service to his power, as fdthfiilly and himibly as any 
other of the Kinges subgiettes, the said Bisshop diall on the kinges be- 
halve thanke him ; shewing that aswde for the noblesse of bloode as 
remembring the manyfold notable service and kindnesse by the Earless fadre 
unto the famous Prince the Due of York the kmges fader, at diverse 
seasons of grete necessite in thoos parties, to his gret jeopardies and 
diarges doon, causeth the Kinges Grace to accepte and recdve him in the 
tendre favor of the same, trusting of his contynuaunoe. 

^' Also he shall shewe that albdt the fadre of the said Erie, the King 
than being of yong age, was extordously slayne and murdred, by colour 
of the lawes within Irland, by certain persones than havyng the go- 
vemaunce and rule there, ayenst all manhode, reason, and good con- 
science ; yet notwithstanding that the semblable chaunce was & hapned 
dthen, within this Re3rme of England, aswde of his brother the due of 
Clarence, as other his nigh kjrnnesmen and grete frendes, the Kinges grace 
alweys contynuath and hath inward compassion of die deth of his said 
fadre, and is content that his said cousyn now £rle by all ordinate 



0BI6INAL LETTERS. 1S3 

meanes and due coune of the lawes, when it shall lust hmi at any tynie 
hereafter to sue or attempt for the punysshement thereof. 

'' Also the Klinges Grace woll that <he said Bisshop have auctorite for 
to take in the kinges name, of the said Erie, his othe of ligeaunce as other 
lordes have doon here within this his Reyme, after the fburme here en- 
8U3mg. ^ I, A. Erie of Dessemond become true and feithfull liegeman unto 
my soverayn Lord Richard the iij<*«. by the grace of God king of England 
and of Fraunce and lord of Irliuid and to bis heires kinges of En^and, 
and to him- and theim my feith and treuth shall here during my lyf 
natural], and with him and in his cause and quarell at all tymes shall 
take his paitie, and be ledy to leve and d3re ayenst all erthly creatures, 
and utterly e&devour me to the resistence and suppressing of his enemyes, 
rebelles, uid traitors, if shall any knowe, to the uttermost of my power, 
and no thing concele that in any wise may be hurting to his noble and 
roiall persone ; So helpe me God and thise holy evangelyes.* 

^' Also, the said Bisshop shall shewe unto the said Erie the Kinges 
gret plesur touching his dealing or entring into any mariage with any 
blood without th*advise and knowlage of his Grace ; considied that the 
same with all cderite entendeth for to ordeiyne and provide in that he- 
halve for his said cousyn in suche wise and of suche noble blode as shall 
redounde to his weele and honnor, and of all his ftendes and kjninesmen, 
trusting that the said Erie woll remembre the same and utterly applie 
him therunto. 

'^ Also the said Bisshop, upon perfite understanding that the said Erie 
shalbe of hoole entencion and pnmiise to his powair to perfourme the 
premisses, and over that, utterly to dispose for many consideradons con- 
cem3mg the Kinges high pleasur and entent, for to renounce the wering 
and usage of the Irisshe abaate ; and from thensforth to geve and 
applie him self to use the maner of th'apparel for his persone after the 
EngMte gwyse^ and after the fasshon that the Kinges Grace sendeth unto 
him by the said Bisshop aswek ofgownes, douhlettes, hosen, and bonettes, 
and soo folowingly in tyme comyng, as the caas or chaunge of the said 
fiuuhion shall require ; that than the said Bisshop shall deliver unto his 
said cousyn, in most convenient place and honnorable presence, the 
Kinges lyvree, that is to wite a coleb, of gold of his devise * and other 
appareU fotsaid for his persone. 

^^ Also, above all other thinges, he shall shewe unto the said Erie that 
the Kinges Grace in no wise woU oure hooly modre the Ghurche to be 
wronged, deroged, or prejudiced, neither in liberties, fraunchies, grauntes, 
custumes, or any other spirituell emolumentes belonging to the same, but 

• Richard the Third's Cognlzaoce, or Device, was a Whitb Boar appended to a 
Collar of Roses and Suns. Such a collar and device is still seen upon a monumental 
Qgure^ supposed to be s Nevil« in Bianocpeth Chiucfa in the county of Durham. 



124 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

that hit takl oousyn shall maintene, aniste, and support it in every be- 
halve, as justice and right requiereth. And, over that, to see that no 
maner robbeiTs, spoliadons, oppressions, or extordons be sufired to be 
cwmmitted anumgst any of the kinges subgiettes of thoos parties, of what 
astate, degree, or condidon soever they be; and in caas any happen to be, 
to tee them so offending utterly to be punyssed according with the 
Kinges lawes. And that the said Erie shall, by all weys and meanes of 
pdQyde, see and proyide that by the passage of the commune high wayes 
there the kinges subgiettes may be assured to goo and passe without 
robbing and unlawful letting: so that the said Erie according to the 
Kinges grete trust, and also to his gradouse demeanyng here in this 
Reyme of England, may appere and be named a veray Justicer, aswele 
for his propre honnor and wele, as for the Common wele of thoos 
parties, &c" 



LETTER XL. 

Richard Duke of York to the Earl of Warwick his 
nephew f agre&ing that a Servant of his may aitend 
the Earl one year cts Marshal of Calais. 

[MS. COTTON. YESPASIAN. F. Xllt. foL 35. Orig,'\ 

*^* The date of this Letter must be fixed to 1455. Stowe, speaking 
of the Parliament which began at Westminster July 9th that year, says, 
^^ In this Parliament was the Duke of York made Protector of the 
lealme : the Earle of Salisbury was made Lord Chancellor, and had the 
Great Seal to him delivered ; and the Easl of Wa&wick wot made^ 
Captain of Calais and'the territories of the same. And thus the rule of 
the realme rested in the Duke and Chancellor, and all the warlike af&ufes 
remained prindpally in the Earl of Warwick. And so amongst them it 
was agreed, that King Henry should still reign in name and dignity, but 
ndther in deed nor in authority ; not minding to destroy him, least they 
mought suddenly provoke the fury of the common people against them, 
because that of the common people he' was for his holiness of life and 
abundant demency much fovoured and highly esteemed.*' 

TJie Officers of Calais were, 1. The Deputy or Captain ; 2. The High 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 1^ 

Marshall; 3. The Comptroller; 4. The Lieutenant of the Castle; 
6. The High Treasurer; & The Vice Treasurer; each having his suite 
of soldiers and attendants.*^ 



Right worshipfull and my right entierly welbe- 
loved nepveu, I recommaunde me unto you cer- 
tiffyeng you that I have recejrved by the bringer 
herof youre gentil Lettres writen at your manour of 
Colyweston the vij^** day of this present monneth ; 
wherby I understonde that ye stande destitut and 
unpourveyed of a Marshall within the town of Calyis 

and that for the good lordship affec- 

don that for my sake ye owe and bere unto my servaunt 
Walter Blount squier, ye desire me to geve him leve 
to be witholden with you as your Marchall in the said 
towne. Wherunto please it you to wite that for di- 
verse my matiers, wherin I thought to have occupied 
this yere my said servaunt^ I might nat goodly forbere 
him ; neverthelesse right worshipfull nepveu^ the greet 
necessite whiche I conceyve by youre said lettres that 
ye have unto a Marshall at this tyme, and that I am 
and ever wol be glad to do any thing that in me myght 
lye to do unto your desire honour and pleasir, I have 
graunted imto my said servaunt for the accomplishe- 
ment of youre desire leve and licence to do you service 
in the said office of Marshal as for a yere. During 
whiche tyme hit may please you to purvey you of an 

• See the Cottonian MS. Append, xxyiii. fol. is. 



1£6 OKIGIXAL LETTERS, 

Other, and that yere expired to geve my said serVaunt 
fiar the oonsideracioD abovesaid your Ucence to retoume 
ag€n into this hmde, as my trust is. that ye soo well doo. 
Right worshipfiiU and my right aitierly welbeloved 
nepveu I besedie oure Lord evermore to have you in 
his Uessed keping. Written at my Castel of Mon- 
gomer y the xr day of Octobre. 

Your trew kynsman, 

E. YORK. 

To the right worriiipfiin and 
■ly right entieriy welhdo^ed 
NcpTra th'crie of Warwyke. 



LETTER XLI. 

King Edward the Fourth's Letter of Privy Seal to 
Thomas Cooke one of the Aldermen of London^ 
A. D. 1462. 

[hAEL. M8. 543. fol. 145. FROM A COPT IK THE HAKDWKITINO OF 

JOHK STOWE.] 

*^* Stowe in Mb printed Annals, makes die following aUusion to this 
Letter: '« The 27di of Mardi, 1462, King Edwaid went northwaid so 
fir as Stamford, where he was informed that King Henry had procured 
the Frenchmen and Scots to enter diis land; in resisting whereof King 
Edward sent his Priyy Seal through England, to move them to give a 
certain sum of money, which they granted liberally.** 

Edward the Fourth, upon his first accession to die Throne of England, 
took great pains to bring the Pope on his side. He even sent a statement 
of his genealogy to Rome. Tlie Pope*s Letter in answer will be found 
in the note below.* 

» ** Edwardo Regi AngUe apostolicara benedicUonem. 

Recepim -. . gignificavit se guberna- 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 1^ 

Edward by the grace of God kynge of England 
and of Fraunce, and lorde of Ireland : to owr trust! 
and welbeloved Thomas Cooke aldarman of owr Citie 
of London gretinge. Forasmoche as we by divers 
meanes bene credebly enformed and undarstand for 
cert yne, that owr greate advarsary Henry naminge 
hym selfe K3mge of England by the malicious counsey le 
aiid exitacion of Margaret his wife namynge hir selfe 
Queene of England, have conspired, accorded, con- 
cluded, and determined with owr owtward enemyes 
aswell of Fraunce and of Scotland, as of othar dyvars 
contryes, that owr sayde outward enemyes in greate 
nombar shall in all haste to them possible enter into 
this owr Realme of England, to make in the same such 
cruell horible and mortall warre, depopulacion, rob- 
berye and manslawghtar, as here before, hath not bene 
used amonge Ciisten people : and with all wayes and 
meanes to them possible to destroye uttarly the people, 



tionem Re^gni Ang^^ adeptam esse ad cujus 

per lineam rectam te scribis devenisse, ut in notula ttue 

OBNKAiiOoiA guatn ad nos misisti continctur. Congratulamus tuse Screnitati quae 
Dei benignitate ad tanti Regni fastigium sit evecta : confidimusque prudentia tua, 
equitate, et consilii magnitudine regnum ipsum bene et pacificc, ac ad honorem Dei 
et ChrisUani populi salutem gubematum iri quod nobis qui regnum pnedictum 
praedpua caritate prosequimur, et in ipso pacem et quietem vigere pfercupimus gra- 
tissimum erit. Ceterum perplacet nobis fiiialis et prompta oblatio tua per quam 
scrilris te nostrum et Sedis apostolicse devotisomum filium fore nobisque obedientiam 
daturum* non dubitamus haec ex selo et laudibili mente procedere. Proinde Sere* 
nitati tuse benedicimus, eaque nos in omnibus qusecum Deo poterimus semper ad 
placita paratos offerimus. Dat. Romse apud Sanctum Petrum anno Incamationis 
Dominlese Millesimo eccc"^. sexagesimo primo« undedmo kk. A prills Pontificatus 
nostii anno quarto. 

O. DS PUBMCAS. 

Carisslmo in Christo fiUo ' 
Edwardo Regi Angliae illustri.** 

MS. Cotton. Domit A. iz. fol. 84. 



128 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

the name, the tonge, and all the bloud englyshe of this 
owr sayd Rcalme : Insomyche that in the seyde con- 
spiracye, amongs othar things it is agreed and accorded 
by owr sayde adversary Henry, moved thereto by the 
malicious and subtill suggestion and enticjoige of the 
sayde malicious woman Margaret his wyfe, that in 
case they shall and may performe this theyr malicious 
and email purpose, which god defend, that then hir 
Oncle called Charles de Angew with the Frenchmen, 
shall have the dominaticm rule and govemaunce of 
this owr Realme abovesayde. And ovar this, amonge 
othar wicked and detestable things attempted in this 
party by the sayde Henry and Margaret his wyfe, to 
the entent that owr sayde outward enemyes of Fraunce 
and Scotland shuld rathar condesend and applye them 
to theyr malicious entent, and to the distruction of 
this land, the same Henry owr advarsary hath graunt 
and sent unto owr advarsary Lewes de Valois, namynge 
hymselfe kynge of Fraunce, a renountiacion and relese 
of the ryght and title that the Corowne of England 
hathe unto the Realme and Crowne of Fraunce, and 
also to the duches and counties of Guisnes, with theyr 
marches and appurtenaunces : and ovar that hath 
graunted to the same entent to the Scotts, not onely 
the towne and Castle of Berwike, but also a greate 
parte of this owr Realme of England, which things 
above rehersed, well and diligently consydered, it 
openly appearethe that the sayde Henry and Margaret 



ORIGINAL letters:. 129 

his wyfe bene not onely to us but also to all this owr 
Realme, and all owre trewe liege people of the same, 
mortall and moaste cruell enemies. We entendinge 
with all owr might and powere to resiste the greate 
crweltie and malicious purpose of owr sayde adver- 
sarye and enemies, and therein in nowise to spare owr 
person, body, or goods, neythar to refuse any advan- 
ture, jepardy, or perell, for the tuicion and defence of 
this owr Realme and owr trwe subjects of the same, 
desyre and pray yow in the moaste speciall wyse that 
yef imediatly upon the recepte of these our lettars, 
make to be called and assembled before yow all the 
howsholdars and inhabitaunts within yowre Warde, as 
well citizens as forranors, and declare unto them the 
abovesayde malicious, furious, and cruell entent of owr 
sayde advarsarye and ennemyes. And ovar that,, on 
owre behaLfe, exhorte, indwce, and hertly praye them 
with suche gentle langwage and words of beny volence 
as shalbe thowght to yow behovefuU, that they for the 
defence and surtie of them selfe and of all this land, 
and in the she^dnge of the greate and orible mischeves 
and inconveniences above rehersed, woU at this tyme, 
in this greate and moaste urgent necessitie, shewe effec- 
tually and in dede theyfe good wills, zeale, and affec- 
cions that they beare unto us, to the comone weale of 
this land, and prosperytie of themselfe. And that 
into the relevinge and supportacion of the greajte 
charges, expenses, and costes, that us must of necessitie 

VOL. I. SER. 2. K 



VM ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

daiiie beare in this partie, theye and evariche of them 
woll graunt unto us, of theire goodnes and frewill, some 
certayne some of money, suche as they shall mow beare 
withoute theyre hurte and grevaunce, lattynge them 
wete for certayne that we have wele in owre fresshe 
and tender remembraunce the grete and manyfolde 
charges that they before have borne ; and that yf we 
might by eny meane otharwise doo, we wolde not at 
this tyme eny thinge desyre to theyr charge. Trustinge 
nevarthelesse so moche in theyr good disposidons and 
discrecic»is, that they well not suffar wilfully all this 
Realme and themselfe to perishe, and uttarly be de- 
stroyed : consyderinge namely that we desyre nothinge 
of them by way of 3rmposition, compulcion, or of pre- 
cedent or example there upon hereafter to be taken, 
but all onely of theyr humanitie and good wills. 
Trusting in the infinite goodnes, grace, and rigfatwis- 
nes of allmyghtye Gt)d, which here before in just bat- 
tayl by victory, and confusyon of our enemyes, hathe 
juged and declared openly and in dede for owr right 
and title, that yf owre trewe and faythefuU subjects 
woll at this tyme doo theyr parte and apply them 
beny volently to owr desjrre in this behalfe, we shall for 
owr partesemblably so behave us, and so from all suche 
perils and mischevs preserve and defend them and all 
this land, that within fewe dayes they shall have cause 
to thinke that they nevar herebefore bettar bestowed, 
besett, or spended any moAey« And ovar this for 



ORIGINAL LETTERS, 181 

yowre direction and more speedy execution of this 
mattar, we send unto yow certayn Instructions here 
within closed, desyringe and right specially prayeng 
yow that ye, accordynge to the same, woll diligently 
and effectually labour and entend to th^accomplysh- 
ment of owre desyre in this behalfe ; and that ye faile 
not so to doo as ye desyre the wellfare, prosperitie, and 
sewrtie of us, yourselfe, and all this Land. Yeven 
undar owr prevy Scale at owr towne of Stampford, the 
xiii. day of marche, the second yere of owr reigne. 



The followiiig detached paper preserved among the Gottcmian Char- 
ters,* from the mention of the Siege of Donstanhurgh in it, most havp 
been written in the 2d £dw. IVth. when the Duke of Somerset had fled 
to Hen. VI. immediatdy before the battle of Hexham, by a Yorkist. 

^' My Lord oif Warwick lieth in the Castel of Warkworth and with 
hym the Lord Crumwdl, the Lord Grey Cotnore, and my Lord Wenloh ; ^ 
at the Siege of Awnwyk lieth my Lord of Kent, my Lord Herry, my 
Lord Scaljrs, and many other knizts and squiers ; and at the Siege of 
Donstanhurgh lieth the Lord Fitzhew, and the Lord Scrop, and the Lord 
Greystok, and the Lord Powes^ at the Si^;e of Bamburgh, the Erie of 
Worcestr, the Lord Mountagu, the Lord Strange, and the Lord Say, 
the Lord Grey of Wylton, the Lord Lumley, the Lord OgiU. In 
Awnwyk Castdl is the Lord Hungerford, Sir Thomas Fjrndem, and Sir 
Robert Whitingham, and with them the number of v. or yj .C. Frepshmen ; *^ 
and in the Castell of Dunstanburgh is Sir Richard DunstaU, doctor 
Moreton, Sir Philip Wentworth, and with them a vj. or vijXI. In the 
Castell of Bamburgh is the Duke of Somerset, the Lord Roos, and Sir 
Rauf Percy, and with them to the noumbr of ij. or iij. hundred. Our 
men be in all by estimacion bytwen xxx^K and xl^^. thousand, without the 
King and his host." 

It is curious, as showing the positions of the rival parties in 1463* 

• Cart, antiq. Cotton, xvii. 10. ^ Wenlock. 

e So Leland from a manuscript Chronicle : ** Syr Peers le Brasile* the ureat 
warrior of Normandy, cam to help Queen Margaret with French men, and xx.M. 
Scottes, and to remeve King Edwardes'men from Alnewik sige." CoUectan. torn. i. 
p. 499. 

k2 



13S ORIGINAL LETTERS. 



LETTER XLII. 

Tlie Dvke of Clarence and the Earl of Warwick, from 
France, to the Commons of England. 

A. D. 1470. 
[ms. harl. 543. foL 169b. ik john stowe's hakdwhitiko.] 

*«* Stowe, in his manuBcript Collections, has given from contempo- 
rary authority, 

" The Maner and Gwidynge of the Erie of Warwick at 
Aungiers from the xt*>>. day of July to the iiij^K of August, 
1470, which day he departed from Aungiers." 

^^ First, by the meane of the Kjrnge of Fraunce, the sayd Erie of 
Warwick purchased a pardon of the Queue Margarete and of her sonne. 
Secondly, by the sayd meane was treated the marriage of the seyd Quenes 
Sonne called Prince of Wales, and th*Erle of Warwicks second daughter. 
Thirdly, there, was appoynted upon his passage over the sea into England 
with a puissaunce. 

'^ Touchinge the first poynt, the sayd Quene was right dificyle, and 
showed to the Kjrnge of Fraunce, being present the Due of Gwion and 
many other, that with the honor of her and her sonne, he ne she might 
not, nor could not pardon the seyde Earle, whiche hathe bene the greatist 
cawses of the fall of King Henry, of her, and of ther sonne, and that 
never of owr owne corage she ne mighte be contented with hym, ne par- 
don hym* 

'' Item the seyde Quene schewed to the Kynge and other aforesejde, 
that it shuld be thinge greatly hurting and prejudidall to the Kynge 
Henry, her, and her son, to pardone the sdde Earle of Warwick, ne to 
take party with hjrm. And over this, that the Kynge Henry, shee, and here 
sonne had certayne parties and frinds which they myght lyghdye leese by 
this meane, and that shuld be a thinge that greatly might greve them, 
and do them more harme and hynderaunce than the seyd Erie and his 
alies might brihge or beare linto them profite or advauntage. Wher^ore 
she besought the Kynge that it would please hym to leave off, or further 
to speke or laboure for the sayde pardon, amytie, or aliaunce aforeseyde.** 

^' Th*Excuse and Aunswere of th*Erle of Warwicke unto 
Quene Margarete, &c. in these two Articles folowinge. 

, '' Th*£rle of Warwick, all these thyngs herd, sayde unto the Quene 
that he confessed well that by his conducte and mene the Kynge Henry 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 133 

and she were put out of the Realme of England ; but, for an excuse and 
justification thereofi^, he shewed that the Kynge Henry and she by theyr 
false counseyll had enterprised the distruction of hym and his fidnds in 
body and in goods, which he never had deserved agajrnst them. And 
hym semed that for suche causes, and the great evill will that they have 
showed hym he had a rightwyse cawse to laboure theyr undoynge and 
destruction, and that therein he had not done but that a nobleman 
outrayed and disperred owghte to have doone. Also he sayde ovar that, 
and weU confessed that he was cawser of the upsetynge of the Kynge of 
England that now is, but now, sepnge the evill termes that the Kynge 
hathe kept hjrm, and cast h3rm out of the realme, and, asmoche as, he 
hathe bene with hjrm in tymes passed, now he wilbe as fare contrarye 
and enemy unto hym here aftar : besechinge there the Quene and the 
sayd Prince that so they wolde take and repute hjrm, and forgyye hym 
that in tyme passed he had done and attempted agaynst them : offermge 
hymself to be bounden, by all maner wyse, to be their trewe and fay th- 
full subjecte in tyme to come, and upon that he would set for suretye 
the Kynge of Fraimce. Where unto the sayde Kynge then being present 
agreyd hymself to be surtye for all the premises with good will, praying 
the sayde Quene, that, at his requeste she woulde pardon the sayde Earle 
of Warwick, showinge the greate love that he had unto hym, and that 
he was bounded and beholden to the seyde Erie more than to any other 
man, and therefore he wolde do as moche and more for hym thenne for 
any man lyvinge.** 

'^ The Earles of Warwick and Oxenford pardoned of Quene 
Margarete, and of her sonne Prince Edward. 

'' And so the Quene, thus required by the Kyng, as it is seyde, 
counseled also by the servants of the K3mge of SecUe hir fader, aftar 
many treates and metynges, pardoned th'Erle of Warwick, and so did 
heiie sonne also. And after that they pardoned th^Erle of Oxenforde 
being with th'Erle of Warwick ; to whome the Quene seide that his 
pardone was ease to purchase, for she knewe well that he and hjb fisndis 
hed suffered muche thinge for ELinge Henry's quanells.** 

'^ Towchynge the manar of the Trete of Marriage bitwene 
the Prince and th'Erle of Warwicks second dowghter, withe 
th'answere of Quene Margarete. 

^^ Towchinge the second poynt, that is of mariage, trew it is that the 
Quene wolde not in any wise consente thereunto for offer shewinge, or 
any maner request that the Kynge of Fraunce myght make her. Some 
tyme she seyd that she sawe never honor ne profit for her, ne for her 
Sonne the Prince. In other she ledged that and she woulde, she shitld 
finde a more profitable party, and of a more avauntage ^th tkeSynge of 



134 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

Sngtamd. And in dede, she shewed unto tiie Kynge of Fraimce a 
Letter which she seyd was sent hir out of En^^and the last weeke, by 
the wMth was tiered to her tonne mr ladt the princes ; * and so the 
Quene pcr scvg ed fifteen dajres or she wold eny thjmge intend to the seyd 
Tieatie of Marriage, the whiche finally, by Uie meane and ocmducte of 
die Kynge of Fraunoe and the counsilocs of the K3mge of Sicile beinge 
at Aungiers, ihe sayd maryage was agied and pronused ; presente the 
Kynge of Fraunoe wad the Duke of Gwine, by meane of certayne articles 
hcare aftar foOowinge.*' 

«' Tlie Othe of th'Erle of Warwick at Aungiers swome to 
Kyi^^e Henry* 

^^ First the Earle of Warwick sware upon tKe yerrey Crosse in Seint 
Mary Churche of Aungiers, that, without chaunge he shall alwey holde 
the partye and quarrell of Kynge Henry, and shall serve hjrm, the 
Quene, and the Prince as a trewe and feythefiill subjecte owith to serve 
his sovoeigne Lord. 

«< The Othe of the Kynge of Fraunoe, and of his brother, 
and of the Quene Margaret. 

^' Item the Kynge of Fraunce, and his brother, clothed in chanons 
robes in the sayd churche of Sejmt Mary, sware that they shulde helpe, 
beare, and suste]me to theyr powere the sayd Earle of Warwick holdinge 
the seyde qwanell of Henry. And aftar this, the seyde Quene sware 
and promysed fro henseforthe to entret the sayd Earle as trewe and fbyth- 
fuU to Kyngd Henry here, and the Prynce : and for the dedes passed, 
never here aftar to make hym reproche. 

^^ Item, in treatinge the forsayde marrege, it was promitted and ac- 
ootded that aftar the reooverye of the Realme of England for and in die 
name of the seyde Kynge Henry, he holden and avouched for Kj^ng, and 
die Prince for Regent and Govamor of the sayd Realme, my Lord of 
Clarence shall have all the lands that he had when he departed out of 
England, and the duchie of Yorke, and many other, and th*£rle of War- 
wick his, and othar named in th^appoyntment.*' 

^*' Towdiinge the tjrme whene the Mariage shalbe put in ure. 

<< Item that from thens forth the seyde dowghter of th'Erle of War- 
vdck shalbe put and remayne in the hands and kepinge of Quene Mar- 
garet, and also that the seyde marriage shal not be perfyted to th^Erle of 

• Elisabeth, eldest, and at that time the only daughter of Edw. I VCh. was bom at 
Westminster, Feb. nth, 1466. She was first intended to be the wife of George 
Nevil Duke of Bedford ; then promised to the Dauphin of France; hare she is stated 
to have been ofliered to Piince Edward son of Henry the Sixth ; she was next courted 
by King Richard Hid.; and, at last, married to King Henry the Seventh. See 
Sandf. p. 417. 



OKIGINAL LETTEES. 135 

Warwick had bene with an anny over the Sea into EngUmd, and that 
he had recovered the reahne of England in the moste partie therof, for 
die Kynge Henrye. Many other poynts were spoken of in the aeyde 
Tretie of Mariage which were ovar longe to put in writinge. 

*'^ The Ayde of the Frenche Kjrnge, for the passage of 
th'Erle of Warwick into England. 

*' Towchinge the po3mt conoeminge th'Erle of Warwicks passage, 
tiewtfae it is that th'Erle every day gave to understand, and yet dothe 
to the Kjmge of Fraunce, that he hath Lettars often from Loids of Eng- 
land conteynyn^ that assone as he shalbe londed there, he shall have 
moe then l. M^ fighters at his commaundement ; wherfore the seyde 
Earle promysed the Kjrnge that yf he wold heipe hym with a fewe folk, 
shipps, and money, he shall passe over the sea without any delay, and 
upon this his words and promyses to the Kynge, he hath spended and 
dayly spendythe great sommes of money for enterteyninge the state of 
hym and his, and besyd that hathe helpen in victuale for his shipps of 
Ixvj MK scuts, content of ij. M^. franke archers, &c." 

The original of Charles Duke of Guienne's engagement to assist Henry 
the VI'^. Queen Margaret and Edward Prince of Wales, approving also 
of the marriage of the Prince with the Earl of Warwick's daughter, 
rigned by himself, at Angers, July 30th, 1470, is still preserved in the 
Cottonian MS. Vesp. F. iii. ^ 

The daughter of the Earl of Warwick here mentioned, was the Lady 
Anne. She imitated her father's changes. The widow of Prince Ed- 
ward became the Queen of Richard the Third. 



George duke of Clarence and lord of Richemcmd, 
and Richard earle of Warwyke and Salisbury, Greate 
Chambarleyne of England and Capitayne of Calais, to 
the worshipfull, discrete, and trwe Commons of Eng- 
land gretynge. It is we dowte not notarily and openly 
knowne unto you all, how uncurtasly that in late dayes 
we have bene entreated, takyn, and accepted for the 
trwe hertes, tendar zeales, loves and affections that Gk>d 
knowith we have evar borne and entend, before all 
things erthly, to the weale of the Crowne and the ad* 



136 OlilGINAL L£TT£R8. 

vauncynge of the Comon Weale of England ; and for 
reprovinge of-falsehodd and oppressyon of the pore 
people ; God and owr dedes our Judge. Estraunged 
also therefore from our frinds and lyvelede not litle, 
and from the land and naturall place of our birthes, by 
the falsse meanes and subtill dissimulations of suche 
certeyne covetows and seditious persons as have gieided 
and bene about the estate Royall of the Realnie, whiche 
have evar had a more particuler respecte to theyr owne 
syngular and insatiable covetise, and to the magnifienge 
of theyr frinds and adherants, then they have had to 
the majestie Royall, or to the things publique of the 
trwe comonaltie of the sayde Realme ; as dayly and 
howrlye is now by theyr dedes proved amongs you by 
experience, to the greate hurt, empoverishinge, and the 
uttar destruction of yow and the Reahne, like to be 
aliened and governed by streyngers and outward na- 
tions yf the seyde covetows persons may rule as they 
have done; and never lyke to be recovered without 
gods helpe ; the moast lamentable and pitious thinge, 
to be abhored with every trewe christen man dredinge 
god or lovynge the weles of his Realme and his neygh- 
hours, that evar was. We, therefore, establysshid 
and stedfastly perseveringe in owr olde cUstomes, 
beringe and havynge faythefully toward the seyde 
Crowne and comon weale of England as fervent zeale, 
love, and affection as evar we had, aggrudgynge of 
the greate enormyties and inordinate ympositions^ 



DBI6IXAL L£TT£KS. 137 

contrary- to lawe and all good customes, newly layd 
upon yow, and also greatly sorowinge and abored of 
the cruall and detestable tirany, the vengeable mour- 
dar and manslawghtar reignynge amonge yow. Where- 
fore we entend, by the grace of Gt)d, and the helpe of 
every well disposed man, in right shorte tyme, to put 
us in deboure » to the uttermoste of owr poweres, to 
subdwe and put undar falshod and oppressyon ; chastice 
and punishe the seyde covetows persons in perpetuall 
example to all othar ; and to set right and justice to 
theyr places, to se them equally ministred and indiffer- 
ently, withou.te mede or drede, as they owght to be, 
and to reduce and redeme for evar the sayde Realme 
from thraldome of all outward natyons, and make it as 
fre within it selfe as evar it was heretofore. And for 
the furtheringe and more perfecte performinge hereof 
we call first to owr ayde, helpe and assistaunce of Al- 
mighty God, his blessed Mothar and glorious Virgyne 
seynt Marye, with all the hoole company of Heaven ; 
secondly the blessed and holy martire Seynt George 
owr patrone, and every trwe englyshe man dredinge 
God, lovynge his realme and the wele of his neygh- 
bours ; and thirdly we shall for owar discharges in that 
behalfe, bothe agaynst Gtnl and Man, put us in owre 
uttarmoste devoured that we can or may : and there^ 
upon jeopard bothe owr lyves, bodyes, and goods.. In 
witnes whereof, to this owr writinge we have putte owr 
signetts, and subscribed it with owr owne hands. 

• devoir ; duty. 



1S8 OBIGIXAL LETTEES. 

S mm t addi the i9il0wiiig memonaidiim at the end oi his transcript: 
** The whklie ktar abore wreten, dyren oofdes were made and set 
die St andar d in Chepe, upon die stolpes on London brigge, and 
djran lAimh e doRs in London, and in otfaar places of England, 
die eonunge in and landinge of the seyd Duke and Earle owt of 
to die ffilaiginge of Kjnge Henry out of the Toore of London, 
wmd to the npKttjnge of hjm agajne onto his estate and dignide royall 
in die tjme of Richard Lee grocer, then beinge Maior, the which toke 
dsviie iint aeyde lettars, and would not snffiv diem to be openly knowne 
nm wtut to iht comons.** 

In another page of die same Vohime, Stowe has preserved a copy of die 
King*s Letter to Oaicnee and Warwick upon the receipt of diis : among 
die ^ matters of great poise** in it, he, no doabt, included the marriage 
of Edward son of Henry die Sixth widi die daughter of the Earl of 



** Brothar we bene cnfiormed how ye have labored, contrary to natural! 
kyndnesse and duty of liegeannoe, dyrars mattars of greate poyes, and 
also how Proclamations have bene made in yowr name and owr cosyne 
of Warwike, to assnnWf owr Uege people, no mention made of Us. 
Fnrtharmorey lettars myssyres sent in lyke manar for lyke cawse. How 
be it, we will not fbigete diat to us apperteynithe, and that is to call yow 
to yowr declaration in the same, and to rcsceyre yow therunto yf ye will 
come, as it fitddi a Uege man to come to his sovereigne lord in humble 
wjK : and yf ye so do, indyfierenoe and equitie shalbe by us well remem- 
bred, and so as no resonable man, godly di^oeed, shall mowe thinke, but 
diat we shall entreate yow accordinge to your nyghnes of bloud and owr 
]awc8> Wherefore, owre disposition thus playnly to yow declared. We 
woU and charge yow, upon the feithe and trewthe that ye naturally owe 
to beare unto us, and upon payne of yowre leigaunoe, that ye, departjrnge 
yowr fdowahipe in all haste, aftar the sig^t of diis, adresse yow to owr 
presence humbly and measurablye accompanyed, and so as is convenyent 
for the cawse aboveseyde ; lettynge yow wite that yf ye ne do soo, but 
contynewe the nnlefhll assembljre of owr people in perturbation and con- 
tempte of owr peax and comandement, we must prooede that we were 
lothe to doo to the punishment of yow, to the grevous example of all 
othar our subjects. Upon the which yf ther foUowe eny efiusyon of 
Cristian bloud of owr subjects of this owr Realme, we take Ood and owr 
blessed Lady, seint George, and all the Seints in Heven to owr witnesse, 
that ye be onely charged widi the same, and not We. 

" Yeven, &c 

^' To owr brothar Clarence ; and the 
lyke Letar (mutatis mutandis) to the 
earle of Warwykc' * • 



OEIGIKAL LETTERS. 1S9 

This Letter is again followed by the Proclamation which was issued 
by the Duke and Earl upon their landing; the form of the safe- 
conducts which they granteid; and the Articles of advertisement sent 
by the Prince to the Earl of Warwick his father-in-law to be shewn to 
King Henry, for establishing a new Council and Houshold ; the latter 
upon a reduced scale. Tlie following is the last of these articles: 
" Item, for asmoche as the Kynge is now in great povertie, and may not 
yet sustayne th*expences of so greate an howshold as he kept sometyme, 
nor he is jret purveyed of vessdl and othar hostihnents of howshold ho- 
norable and convenyent for hym, and also his costis now upon establyshe- 
meat will be gretar than any man can certa3mly esteme, it u thowght 
good that it will please his Hyghnesse to forbeare all this first yere tiie 
kepinge of his worshipful! and greate Houshold ; and be in all that t3rme 
in suche a sure place or places as his moaste noble Grace can thinke best 
for his helthe and plesaunoe, with little people, and without resumjmge 
and takyng age3me in all that yere of the servaunts of his olde howsold, 
but suche as necessitie shall cawse hym. For yff he take within that 
tjone any of them, the remenaunte will grudge for theyr absence ; and 
alsd tho -that be thus taken will not leve importune sute to have unto 
them all theyr old fellowshipe, which shalbe noyfull, and great noye to 
hymselfe and to all tho that shalbe about hjrm for that yere." 



LETTER XLIII. 



Letter of Protection Jrom the Duke of Clarence for 
the kmds and tena/rUs of the Lord Mountjoy, in 
Derbyshire, A. D. 1470* 

[ms. laksd. bbit. mus. 1236. foL 1. Orig,] 



G. CLASENCE. 

Geo&ge Due of Clarence and Lorde of Riehemond, 
to alle parsones thees presents hering or seeing greting. 
We woHe and upon pain of deth charge you in our 
Spuverain Lordes name King Henri the Sexte that ye 



140 OftlGINAL LETTERS. 

ne noon of you of what iegre or condicion soo ever 
ye bee presume, atempte, or bee so hardy to spoile 
or robbe the Maners of Barton and Elveston in the 
Countie of Dorb. aperteynyng to the Lorde Mounte- 
joie ne dood of his servaunts, fermors, ne tenaunts ther 
or ellsswbere or any of thaim, ne vexe, troble, or hurt 
thaim, or any of thaim in bodees or goodes meovable 
or unmeorable contrary to our saide Souverain lordes 
lawes and his peax, as ye wolle eschewe the punicion 
ciihe said lawes. Yeven under our Signet at London 
the xxvj. day of October. 



LETTER XLIV. 



Khiff JLiiwa^-d the Fourth to the Keeper of his Privy 
Sealj after his return to the Throne^Jbr Letters pa- 
tnUs in reward of William Gould, a butcher. 

[M8. DOVAT. BEIT. MC8. 461-L orL 10& BAG. EDW. IV. BUKD. 1. 

. Na29.] 



By the King. 
Right reverend fadre in Grod, right trusty and 
welbeloved, We grete you well ; lating you wit that 
tor the gretc kyndnesse and true hert that oure wel- 
beloved William Grould, citezen of London, bocher, 
shewed unto us and unto oure derrest wife the Queue, 
in our last absence out of this oure Roialme^ every 



OKIGINAL LKTTEBS. 141 

weke, than yeving unto hir for the sustentacion of hir 
houshold half a beef and ij. motons; and also aftir 
oure Feld of Tewkysbury, at her being in the Towre, 
brought C. oxen into a medow beside our said Towre 
, for the . . lling a of the same, wherof the Kentishmen, 
and other at tymes, oure rebells, shipmen, toke of the 
saide bests 1. and ledde away ... an to his great 
hurt and damage, We have yeven and graunted unto 
the saide William, in recompense of his said hurts, and 
for other causes us moeving, our Letters of licence, 
that he by himself, his factours, or attorneys, maye 
charge a Ship called the Tryny te of London, of the 
portage of xxx. ton or within, in any porte or place 
of this oure Roialme, with oxe hids, ledde, talowe, 
and alle other merchandises except staple ware, and 
the saide Ship,, so charged and defensibly araied for 
the defense of the same, with suche a maistre and 
nowmbre of mariners as the saide William, his factours 
or attornes, shall name unto you in oure Chancerye, to 
goo out of this oure saide Roialme into what parties 
by yonde the Sea it shall like him or theim; and 
there to discharge and recharge the same Ship with all 
maner goods and merchandises leefull ; and retoume 
into this oure saide Roialme, and all other places under 
oure obeissance : and so to discharge and recharge the 
saide Ship, with the saide goods, wares, and mer- 
chandises, and goo and com as often as it shall please 
him or thehn, during oon hpole yere, without any lett 

• killing. 



142 ORIGINAL LBTTERS. 

or impediment of us or eny of oure officers and minis- 
ires ; paing unto us therfore all maner costumes, sub- 
sides, and duetees unto us for the same due and ap- 
perteynyng, any act, statute, ordinance, provision, 
ot restraint hadde or made into the contrarye not- 
withstanding. Wherfore we wol and charge you that 
undir oure Prive Scale, being in youre ward, ye do 
make herupon our Letters to be directed unto oure 
Chancellor of England, commaunding him by the same 
to make herupon our Letters Patentes undir oure 
Great Scale in due forme, and thies our Letters shal 
be your warrant. Yeven undir oure Signet at our 
Palois of Westminster the xxiiij. day of Feverier 
of our reign. 



FBEMAN. 



To the reverend fadre in God our 
right trusty and welbeloved the 
Bishop of Rochester^ keper of our 
Prire Seale. 



LETTER XLV. 

Kifig Edward die Fourth^ concerning the repayment 
of Mofney to the BisJiop of Aberdeen aiid James 
Shaw. 

[ms. cotton, vesp. f. III. foL 9 b. Orig.'\ 

*«* The real object of this Letter is obscure. Thomas bishop of 
Aberdeen had a safe conduct to come into England Sept 13. 13th 
Edw. IV.* The Lord Lovd was, at this time, the King's Treasurer. 

• Rot is Edw. IV. m. le. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 143 

As touching the repaiement of C. marc, to the 
bisshopp of Abyrdene and to James Shaw for the 
composicion made with the lord Luf, the King hath 
ordeigned that a Lumbard, or some other sufficient 
persone or persones resiant within England, shalbe 
bounde to the said Bisshopp and James in the said 
somme, to be paied by the first daye of Novembre next 
to come, at the ferrest, to such as the saide Bisshopp 
and James wol assigne to receyve the same, be it for 
the responsion of the Commandeur of Torfisch3ni in 
Scotland to the Rodes by the Lord of Sainct Johns in 
England, or othrewise, as the said Bisshop and James 
Shaw wol ordeigne. 
Iv. E. 



LETTER XL VI. 

Richard Duke of GUmcester^ afterwards Richard the 
Third, to . , . . to borrow Money. 

[M8. cotton. VE8P. F. III. foL 10. Ortg-.] . 



The Due of Gloucestre. ^ 
Right trusty and welbeloved We grete you wele. 
And forasmuch as the Kings good Grace hathe ap- 

* These words are in the Duke's hand. kd. 



144 ORIGIKAL LETTERS. 

poyntcd me to attende uppon His Highnesse into the 
North parties of his lande, whiche wolbe to me gret 
cost and charge, whereunto I am soo sodenly called 
that I am not so wel purveide of money therfore as 
behoves me to be, and therfore pray you as my specyal 
trust is in you, to lend me an hundreth pounde of 
money unto Ester next commyng, at wliiche tyme I 
promise you ye shalbe truly therof content and paide 
agayn, as the berer herof shal enforme you : to whom 
I pray you to yeve credence therin, and showe me 
such frendlynesse in the same as I may doo for you 
herafter, wherinne ye shal find me redie. Writen at 
Risyng the xxiiij*'* day of Juyn. 

R. GLOUCESTR. 
(A Postscript entirely in the Duke*s hand adds) 

Sir I say I pray you that ye fayle me not at this 
tyme in my grete nede, as ye wule that I schewe yow 
my goode lordshype in that matter that ye labure to 
me for. 



LETTERS 



OF 



THE REIGNS OF 



EICHAED THE THIED 



AXD 



HENRY THE SEVENTH. 



VOL. T. SER. 2. t 



or the Letters ot the reign of RICHARD the THIRD here laid 
bdoR die reader, die diief are the King^s own : bat even in these there 
ii a **i^*^Ttw and a mystery inconsistent with upright deeds. The im- 
presBOQ which they make is bad : and leads us to suspect that future 
diaooveries, wfaaterer dae they may derdope, will do little to retrieve the 
diaracter of Ridiard the Third from the odium so concurrently passed 
npon it by diooe who lived in his time. 

The diMjuiet of Ridiard*s mind, his doubts, his apprehensions, his 
distrusts, are all visible in the documents of his last year, though some- 
times attempted to be concealed under smooth and cringing expressions. 

The Instructions whidi he gave to ^^ the Commissioners in every Shire** 
for raising forces against the Eaii of Richmond, begin 

**' Furst, that they, on the King* behalf^ thanke the People for 
Adr TBinE and Lovrxe disposiciok thewed to his Highnette the 
hut yere^ for the suertie and defonse of his moost royal persone and of 
diis his Reafane, against his rebds and traitors ; exhorting than so to 
continue.** Next, to review the persons raised, *'*' and see that they be 
able men, and wde horsed and hemeyaed, and no rascal, and to endeavour 
them to encrease the numbre 5y theire ttisedomt and policies, if they 
CAN.** Iiastly, ^^ to shewe all Lords, Noblemen, Captains, and other, 
that the King's noble pleasure and oommaundement is, that they truely 
and honorably all manner quareUs, grudges, rancors, and unkyndnes^ 
iayed aparte, attend and execute the King*s commaundement, and everyche 
he Lovive and assisting to othbe in the Kikge*s quabelles 
aiii? cause.*** 

This is the language of a King who feels weak in the affections of his 
subjects. 

The few Letters in this Volume of the reign of HENRY the 
SEVENTH, are Privy Seals. Other Letters of this Rdgn are not 
numerous in English. 

• See the HarL MS. 488. foL 274. 



ORIGINAL LETTEES. 147 



LETTER XL VII. 

King Edward the Fifths under the direction of his 
Uncle, to Otes Gilbert^ Esq. commanding him to 
* receive Knighthood at the expected Coronation, 

[ms. harl. b&it. hits. 433. foL 227*] 

*^* Similar Letters to this appear to have been sent to forty-nine 
other persons, amongst whom were the Lord Ormond, the Lord Stourton, 
the son and heir of ^e lord Bergavenny, the Lord Grey of Ruthen, the 
son and heir of the lord Cobham, and Henry Colet alderman of London. 



Trusty and welbeloved we grete you^ wele ; and by 
th'^advise of our derrest Uncle the Due of Gloucestre, 
Protector of this our Royaume, during our young Age, 
and of the Lords of our Counsel!, we write unto you 
at this tjrme, willing and nathelesse charging you to 
prepare and ffiimishe yourselff to receive the noble 
Order of Knighthode at our Coronacion; whiche by 
Godd^s grace we entende shalbe solempnised the xxij^ 
day of this present moneth at oure Malays of West- 
minster, comaunding you to be here at oure Toure of 
London iiij. dayes afore oure said Coronacion, to have 
comynycacion with oure Commissioners concemyng 
that mater ; not failling herof in any wise, as ye entende 
to please us, and as ye woU answer, Yoven,- &c. the 
v**'. day of Juyn. 

To 

Otes Gilbert squier. 

L 3 



148 ORIGIKAL LETTERS. 

The Volume from which this Letter has been copied, contains variotis 
Papers and Documents issued at the beginning of the reign of Richard 
the Third as King : and amongst them the following Instructions to the 
Lord Montjoie, master John Cooke aichdeaom of Lincoln, and Sir 
Thomas Thwajrts knt in answer to a Letter of the Lord Djmham ^' late 
direct to the Kingi Grace as Pbotectob o/'Englakd.*' 

^^ The first Article remembred the Othe which they of Calais, per- 
tejmjng to any of the thre Jurisdiccions ther, incontynent, upon knaWlage 
of the deth of King Edward the iiij^*^, whome God assoiU, commen unto 
them, made holy togedjrr upon a booke, to be true unto King Edward 
the V*^. his son, as to their liege Lord ; and to kepe the towne, castell, 
and Diarchies of Calais truly to him, and to suffine no man with power to 
entre into the same, except the King's i>ersone, or the Lord Hastings 
then being the King*s Lieutenant 

*' As to that Article, it shall move besids that how b^ it suche Othe 
of ligeance was made sone upon the deth of the said King Edward the 
iiij^''. to his sone, not only at Calais but also in diverse places in England, 
by many gret A stats and Personages being than ignorant of the yenraye 
sure and true title whiche oure soverayn Lord that now is. King Richiud 
the iij<*«, hath and had the same tyme to the Coroune of England. - That 
Othe not withstandyng, now, every good true Englissheman is bounde, 
upon knowlage had of the said verray true tide, to depart from the first 
Othe so ignorantly gyven to him to whom it apperteyned not, and ^et* 
upon to make his Outhe of newe, and owe his service and fidelitie to him 
that good lawe, reason, and tha concorde assent of the Lords and Com- 
mons of the Royame have ordeigned to rcigne upon the people, which is 
oure said Soverayn Lord King Richard the iij<>^ brother to the said King 
Edward the iiij''*. late decessed, whome Gk)d pardone: whose sure and 
true title is evidently shewed and declared in a bill of Peticion which the 
Lords spirituelx and temperelx and the Commons of this Land solemplye 
porrected unto the Kings Highnes at London the xxvj^^ day of Jnyn. 
Whereupon the Kings said Highnes, notably assisted by well nere all the 
Lords spirituell and temperell of this Royaume, went die same day unto 
his Palais of Westminster, and ther in suche roiaU honorable appareilled 
within the gret Hall ther toke possession, and declared his mynde that 
the same day he wold begyn to reigne upon his people, and firom thens 
rode solempely to the Cathedrall Cherche of London, and was resseyved 
ther with procession, with great congratulacion, and acdamacionr of all 
the people in every place, and by the wey that the King was in, that day. 
The copie of the which Bill the King will to be sent unto Calais, and ther 
to be redd and understanded togeder with thise presents, desiring right 
effectuously all maner persones of the said thre Jurisdictions, what astat, 
degre, or condicion that they be of, and alsa them of Guysnes and 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 149 

Hammes, to make their feithes and othes to him as to thair soverayn 
Lorde, like as the Lords spirituelx and temperelx, and many other noble 
men in gret.nombre, being in England, frdy and of goode hert have done 
for their parts. And that the said Towne of Calais, all Castells, and 
Fortress being within the said Marches they will saufly kepe unto the 
behoove of oure said Soverayn lord King Richard the iij<*«. and them not 
to deliver to any persone but by his commaundemente only." • 

The reader will observe that the Lord Dynham, in answer to whom 
these Instructions were sent, was one of the Lords who in the Parliament 
chamber, in ihe 11»»» Edw. IV*. had subscribed and sworn to be true to 
Prikce Edwa|u>, the King's eldest son. ^ Who can wonder that Lord 
Bynham afterwards joined the Earl of Richmond ? In the 1*^ of Henry 
the Seventh he was constituted one of the Privy Council, and Treasurer 
of the King's Exchequer. He died in the IT^ Hen. VIP". 

There is a Memorandum too, in the Harleian Volume already quoted, 
a part of which only has been printed by Mr. Sharon Turner. 

" M<>. that I Richard by the Grace of God King of England and of 
Fraunce, and J/otd of Irland, in the presens of you my Lords spirituell 
and temporell, and you Mair and Aldermen of my Cite of London, pro- 
mitte and swere verho regio upon these holy Evangelies of God by me 
personelly touched, that if the doughters of dame Elizabeth Gray late 
caUing her selff Queue of England, that is to wit Elizabeth, Cedll, Anne, 
Kateryn, and Bri^itte, woU come unto me out of the Sanctwarie of 
Westminster and be guyded, ruled, and demeaned after me, than I shall 
see that they shalbe in suertie of their lyfi&, and also not sufifre any man- 
ner hurt by any pianer persone or persones to than or any of theim or 
their bodies and persones, to be done by way of ravissement or defouling 
contrarie their willes, nor them or any of theim emprisone within the 
Toure of London or other prisonne ; but that I shall put theim in honest 
places of good name and fame, and theim honestly and curtesly shall see 
to be founden and entreated, and to have all things requisite and neces- 
sary for their exibicion and findings as my k3mneswomdi ; and that I 
shall do marie suche of them as now ben mariable to Gentjlmen bom, 
and everiche of them geve in mariage lands and tenements to the yerely 
valewe. of cc marcs for term of their lyves ; and in likewise to the other 
doughters when, they come to lawful! age of mariage if they lyff. And 
suche gentilmen as shall happ to marie with them I shall straitly charge, 
from tyme to tyme, lovyngly to love and entreate them as their wifis and 
my kynneswomen, as they woU advoid and eschue my displeasur. 

'^ And over this that I shall yerely fromhensfurth content and pay, or 
e^use to be contented and paied, for th'exhibicion and finding of the said 

* MS. HarL -A8S* foL 298. *> Claus. ii Edw. IV. in dorse, m. i. 



150 OBIGIKAL LETTERS. 

dame Eluibeth Qmy duxing her natunll liff at iiij. termes of the yeie, 
that ii to wit at paache, midsomer, michihnasse, and christenmesse, to 
John Neifdde, one of die aquien for my body, for his finding, to attende 
upon her, the aumme of dcc. marcs of lawful! money of England, by 
CTcn poraons ; and moreover I promitte to them, that if any surmyse or 
tryVL report be made to me of them, or any of them, by any persone or 
penooes, that than I shall not gere therunto faith ne credence, nor ther- 
foR put them to any maner ponysshement, before that they or any of them 
to accused may be at thdr lawful! defence and answer. In witnesse 
whereof to this writing of my Othe and Promise aforsaid, in your said 
picsences made, I have set my sign manuell the first day of Maiche the 
first yeie of my Reigne.*' * 
These, it must be owned, are singular documents. 



LETTER XL VIII. 

King Richard the Third to Sir Ralph Hasthigs lent 
Lieutenant of the Castle ofGuisnes. 

[ms. harl. BRIT. Mus. 433. foL 239.] 



By the King. 
Trusty, &c. We woll and desire you that ye 
yeve full feith and credence to our trusty Servants 
Robert Bradboury, Robert Allerton, Hugh Bage, and 
Thrusta3ni Hatefelde, in suche things and newes as we 
have commaunded thaym to shewe unto you on our 
behalve : which by you herd, we pray you to disclose 
to suche of oure subgetts as be under your rule in our 

• MS. HarL ut supr. foL SOS b. 



OBipiNAL L£TT£BS. 151 

Castell there, as by your wisdome shalbe thought most 
according, and of their disposicions, which we trust 
verridly wolbe with oure pleasure. We desire you 
furthwith, in all hast possible, to accerta}m our right 
trusty and welbeloved the Lord Mountjoye, Sir Tho- 
mas Thwayts, and maister John Cooke our Commis- 
sioners at Dover, whome we have carged^ ther to abide 
your Answere ; and that had, to addresse them over 
unto you fully instructed of our ferther mjrnde and 
pleasur in every thing concemyng the same. Faill ye 
not the premisses, as ye woll do us speciall pleasur. 
Yoven under our signet at our Cite of London the 
xxviijti. day of Juyn. 

To 

S". Kauff Hastings knight 
Lieutenant of our Castell of 
Guysnes. 



As entry in the Manuscript, very soon after this Letter, acquaints us 
that Sir Ralph Hastings was dismissed from his charge. 

He was brother of the Lord Hastings who was beheaded by Richard 
the Third ; and had been much favoured by King Edward the Fourth in 
grants of lands. 



• dMTged* 



ISA ORIGINAL LETTEB8. 



LETTER XLIX. 

Khiff Richard the Third to the Lards of his Council^ 
A. D. 1483, upon the arrival of an ambassador 
Jrom Isabella Queen of Spain. 

[ms. habi^ BRIT. Mus. 433. foL 235 b.] 

*«* Preceding this Letter, in the Haileian Manuscript, are the in* 
•txnctiana, in Latin, of Gianfidius de Saaiola, the Queen of Spain's enyoj, 
dated August the 8th, 1483 ; afWr which it is said, 

*' Besides these Instructions geven in writing by this Orator, he shewed 
to the Kings Grace by moudi, that the Queue of Castell was turned in 
}ier hart fro England in time past, for the unkindness the which she took 
against the King last deceased, whom Ood pardon, for his refusing of 
her, and taking to his wife a widow of England ; for the which cause 
also was mortal war betwixt him and the Earl of Warwick, the which 
took eyer her part to the time of his death. And therefore she, moved 
for thise cause against her nature, the which was ever to love and &vout 
England, as he said, she toke the Ftoidi Kings part, and made leagues 
and confederations with him. 

^^ Now the King is dead that shewed her this unkindness, and, as he. 
said, the Frendi King hath broken four principal! articles appointed, 
concluded, and sealed betwixt him and the King of Castell and hur : 
wherfore she now returning to hir natural kind and disposition, desiretfa 
sudi things to be appointed and concluded betwixt these two realmes, 
England and Spain, as ye may understand by these Instructions of her 
said Orator. 

^' Another cause whidi moved her to depart from the King Louis, was, 
that she had a grant of the Queen of Navarre to have hur daughter and 
heirfor the Prince of Castde her son, if the consent of King Louis might 
therein have been had : and for so much as he by no maner meane wold 
be thereunto agreable she taketh a gret displeasure with him, and desiretfa 
by all meanes to her possible to make these Alliances and Confederations 
with the Kings good Grace, as be shewed in thise Instructions." 

The first part of this statement is fully corroborated by the Kngliffh 
Historians.^ 

» See Hall's Chron. edit 1548. foil. cxciL I), cxdii. Grafton's Co&tin. of Hardyng* 
fed. tiij. L«L Collect, torn. i. p. fiOO. 4Cf 



ORIGINAL LETTEKS. 153 

. Lingard has taken no. notice of this negociation for the hand of 
Isabella ; and he treats the subsequent negociation for a marriage with 
Bona of Savoy as a Action.* But even this is mentioned by foreign 
writers, as well as our own.^ 



BY THE KING. 
MY LOEDS, 

We grete you hertely wele, latting you wit that 
yesterday come to, us hider an Oratour of our cousine 
the Queue of Hispana, with lettres and open credence 
also, the which he shewed before us wherupon the 
Lords of our Counsell here, by oure commaundement, 
have had communication with the said Oratour upon 
auctorite or commission yeven unto him in that be- 
halve, the which as we suppose he hath noon other- 
wise than by instruction and commandement of his 
maisteres ; wherein he saith he might have had gret 
and large, bot she saith her worde shuld be as sure 
and stable as any other auctorite by Commission. 
Natheles suche credence as was uttered to us by the 
said Oratour, he hath delivered in writing signed with 
his hande, the Copie whereof we sende unto you, to 
the'ntent we may have your good advertisments what 
is ferther to be doen in this mater. Also the said 
Oratour hath ben demaunded as in the Amite and 
Lieuge ^ late taken betwixt the King our brother late 



* Hist. Engl. 8*. edit. voL v. p. 25T. 

i> See Guidieron, Hist. Genealogique de la Royale Maison de Savoye, tonif L 
PR. 632, 6S3. who dates it In 1464. 

• League. 



154 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

deoessed, and Henry the King of Hispayne, the which 
the said Oratour promiseth shalbe renewed and con- 
firmed betwixt us and the King and new Quene of His- 
payne, in like forme as was betwixt them. And if it 
shall seme you this mater be for our wele and honor, 
than we pray you, our Chaunceler, the said Amite 
made in our name and sealed with our Seale be sent 
to us in goodly hast ; for the which^ upon a bill therof 
sent to us, ye shall have good and suffisaunt warrant ; 
and that Barnard de la Forssa if [he] be not passed 
the See, be sent for to come unto us in goodly hast, to 
th^entent he may practise thise maters in ^ayne. 
Youen under our signet at the Castell of Warrewik, 
the ix^h day of August. 

To the Lords of our Counsell 
at our Cite of London. 



LETTER L. 

The Queen of Spain to King Richard the Third. 

[ms. ha&l. bbit. mus. 433. fol. 236.] 

%* Isabella, then Queen of Castile, was married to Feidlnand King 
of Arragon at VaUadolid, Oct 18^1^. 1469, privately, in the House of 
John de Bivero. * 



MuY esclareado Rey nfo muy caro et muy 
amado primo. Nos la Reyna de CastilUi^ de Leon, 

• See Lewis de Mayenie Turquet's Hist, of Spaine. foL Loud. 1613. p. SIT. Cn^ 
rita Anales de la Corona de Aia^, Par. U. lib. is. sub an. * 



OKIGINAL LETTEBS. ISS 

de Arragon, de Secilia, etc. vos enbiamos mucho 
saludaz como aquel que mucho amamos et preciamos, 
et para quien querviamos que Dios diese tanta vida, 
salud, et hourra, quanta vos mesmo deseays. Facemos 
vos gober que nos enbiamos a vos al bachiller de Sasiola 
del nostro Consilio, el qual de nostra parte vos fablara 
algunas cosas, muy afectuosamente vos rogamos le 
dedes entera fee et creencia. Muy esclareadoRy nostro, 
muy caro et muy amado primo, dies nostro Senor to 
dos ipsos vos aya en su protecdon et recomienda. De 
la abeas de Sancto Dominicho de la Calcada a scie 
dias de Junjo de Mcccc.lxxxiij. 

YO LA EEYNE. » 

Al muy esclar's a do Rey de 
Yngladeffii nr*o muy saro^ et 
muy amado primo. 

The following Translation accompanies this Letter in ihe manu- 
script: 

'^ Right excellent King our right dere and right entieily beloved. We 
the Quene of Castile, Lyons," (it should be Leon) '^ Arragon, and Sidle, 
&c sende you many gretings, as to him that we gretly love and prayse, 
and him to whome we beseche God to giant as moche lyff, helthe, and 
honeur as your selff desires. We lat you wit that we sende unto you the 
Bachillier of Gasiola, of our Counsell, which on our behalve shall shewe 
you certain things, prayng you of affectuouse mynde unto hjnn therin to 
geve feith and credence. Right excellent King, our right dere and right 
entierly beloved cousyu, our Lord 6k)d alweys have you in his protection 
and reconmiendacion. From th' Abbey of Seint Domynyk of Calcada, 
the vj*»». day of Juyn A". 1483. 

To right excellent King of England, our 
right dere and right entierly beloved." 

• *' I the Queen." This was the Spanish mode of aflSxing the royal signature to 
documents of state. Charles the Fifth signs a Letter of credence sent to Q. Catherine 
of Arragon, his aunt, in 1532> MS. Cotton. Nero B. VII. foL 41, " Yo el Rey." 

^ caro. 



136 OBIGlXJkL LETTERS. 



LETTER LI. 

V Lord D^/nkam to At BUhop qf Lincoln^ Lord 
CkamctOory ammomncing the death of Louis Xlth. 
ff Fromte; the ^iddmg of Utrecht, Sfc, 

[MS. UAML. 433. IbL 233 b.] 

%* Levis the EkreBih is vaoaOj stated bj the French Histmians to 
died Amgten SOch, 1483. Meaamj says August 29'^. The Lord 
places his deatb, in this Letter, on die 25th of August. 



My speciall good Lord, I recommaunde [me] to 
your good Lordship. Please it the same to knowe that 
I sent worde unto the Kings Grace, by Blenc Rose, ^ 
of the deth of the Frenshe King within ij houres after 
the thidings come to me as I herd. How be it I was 
not then in certain as I am nowe. He died the xxv i 
day of August at aftemone ; on whose soule I pray 
God have mercy. And what direction shall be take 
therupon his decease with the Dolphyn, and that 
Realme, it is not yet knowen. This I here say, the 
Lord IKsquerdes is in the handes of the gret Lords of 
Fraunce, the Due of Orliaunce, and other. I trust 
within few daies to know more ; and as I here fro tyme 
to tyme I shall sende worde unto the Kings Grace, 

* WhU§ Rmc, a heoldj or punulvant so named. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 167 

and to yow my Lord^ which I am sure ye will shewe 
unto my Lordes of the Counsell ther. 

Also the Due of Austriche &c. hath wbnne Utright,* 
by appoyntementes such as yo^ Lordship may under- 
stand by a copie that I send yow herewith. Gaunt ^ is 
oflfered, as I here for certeine, and such as were the 
gret doyers in Burgis,c and the chieff labourers ot the 
Peax with Fraunce be goen with all their goodes to 
Gaunt, ^ for fere of the Due; and all the comones of 
the Contre greitly rejoysshe therof. There is a gret 
brute an the Duk of that they will set upon Picardie 
to get it againe to enlarge theire frountiers ; which I 
pray God sone may take eflTect, for in myn openion 
it shuld be gretly for the wele of that toune and 
marches &c. 

Also my Lord upon this departing of the Frensshe 
King, how it shall stande with the Kings pleasure and 
you my Lordes of his Counsell that we shall deale for 
making of sauf Conductes this fisshing season if any 
be asked, I wold fayne understand, because the werre 
is open between bothe Roialmes. I have much ado 
to kepe men still in peax here, for they wold fajme be 
in hand with the Frenshmen. How be it, I trust that 
mater shall not be attempted till the Kings pleasure 
be knowen therein, or unto the tyme occasion be geven 
by them by lande as it is daily seen by water. 

My Lord it is thought here that the King shuld 

» Utrecht. ** Ghent. « Bruges. 



158 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

have a Navie upon the See, to shewe himself as a 
King, to rule and kepe his stremes betwixt this and 
Dover ; and that suche folkes as shall be sent unto the 
see may have a strait charge upon their lyves that 
they nether robbe ne spoill any of the Kings frendes ; 
and namely of the Due of Austriche contrees, and 
Bretayne; for if they fall enemys unto us, and no 
gretter suertie had betwixt the King our Soverayn 
Lord and them, it shall not be good for this Towne 
and Merches, considered of likelihode what pour the 
Due shall be of nowe upon this victorie of Utright 
which is thought a gret thing here. 

Also I here say that he is chosen King of Rome, 
and Emperoiur comen downe to Collougne to crowne 
him, to thentent he shuld be Emperour aft^ him. 
Thise be all the tidings that I here speke of, or that I 
knowe of for certaine, which I pray yow to shewe 
unto the Kings Grace, to whome I have not written at 
this passage. Also that it may like your Lordship to 
gif knowlege unto my good frende maister Pieres 
Puissaunt of the same tydings. 

DYNHAM. 

To my most spedall good Lord 
my Lord Bisshop of Lincolne, 
Chaunceler of England. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 169 



LETTER LII. 

King Richard the Third to John Russel Bishop ofLin^ 
cohif previous to his advancing against the Dtike of 
BucTcvngham^ A. D. 1483. 

[from the OBiaiKAL AMOKO THE RECORDS IN THE TOWER OF 

LONDON.] 



By the King. 
Right reverend Fadre in God, right trusty and 
welbeloved, we grete you wele, and [in] most hertiest 
wyse thanke you for the manifolde presents that your 
servaunt on yo^ behalve have presented unto us at this 
oure being here ; which we assure you we toke and 
accepted with good hert, and soo we have cause. And 
whereas we, by Godds grace, entende briefly to avaunce 
us towards our rebelle and traytour the Due of Buk- 
ingham, to resiste and withstande his maliciouse pur-* 
pose, as lately by our other Lettres we certifyed you 
our mynde more at large ; for which cause it behove^ 
us to have our grete Sele here. We being enformed 
that for such infirmitees and diseases as ye susteyne, 
ne may in your persone to your case conveniently come 
unto us with the same : wherfor we desir and nathe- 
lesse charge you, that, forthwith upon the sight of theis 
ye saufly do the same our Grete Sele to be sent unto 



160 ORIGINAL LETTEBS, 

US, and such of th'^offic^ of our Chauncery as by your 
wysedom shalbe thought necessary; receyvyng these 
our Lettres for your sufficient discharge in that be- 
halve. Yeven undre our signet at our Citie of Lin- 
coln the xij. day of Octobre. 

[Then foQowft, in the King*s own hand- writing,] 

We wolde most gladly ye came yourself yf that ye 
may, and yf ye may not we pray you not to fayle, but 
to accomplyshe in all dyllygence our sayde comawnde- 
ment to sende our Seale incontenent upon the syght 
heroff, as we trust you, with suche as ye trust, and the 
Offycers pertenyng, to attend with hy t ; praying you to 
assertajme us of your Newes. Here, loved be God, 
ys all well and trewly determyned, and for to resyste 
the malysse of hym that hadde best cawse to be trewe, 
th^Duc of Bokjmgham, the most untrewe creatur 
lyvjmg, whom with Grods grace we shall not be long 
tyll that we wyll be in that partyes, and subdewe hys 
malys. We assure you yf was never false trajrtor 
better purvayde for, as this berrer Gloucestr^ shall 
sheue you. 



OKIGIKAL LETTEttS. 161 



LETTER LIII. 

King Richard the Third to his mother, the Duchess 

of York. il.D.1484. 

[ms. ha&l. 433. foL 2 b.] 



MADAM, 

I BECOMMENDE me to you as hertely as is to me 
possible ; beseching you in my most humble and eflTec- 
tuouse wise of your daly blissing to my synguler com- 
fort and defence in my nede. And, Madam, I hertely 
beseche you that I may often here from you to my 
comfort. And suche Newes as ben here my servent 
Thomas Bryan this berer shall show you ; to whomc 
please it you to yeve credence unto. And, Madam, I 
beseche you to be good and graciouse lady to my lord 
my Chamberleyn to be your officer in Wilshire in suche 
es Colingboume had. I trust he shall therein do you 
good service, and that it please you that by this berer 
I may understande youre pleasur in this behalve. And 
I pray God sende you th^accomplisshement of your 
noble desires. Written at Pountefreit, the iij'^ day of 
Juyn, with the hande of 

Yo^ most humble son, 

BICAEDUS BEX. 



CoLYNOBOUKN mentioned in this Letter, was, no doubt, the William 
Colyngbourn who was executed upon Tower Hill for his celebrated 

VOL. I. SEB. 2. ' M 



162 ORIGIXAL LETTERS. 

rfajme in derision of Richard and his Council. Fabyan says, he died 
^ to the compassion of much people.'* He is mentioned in Rymer*8 
Fopdefa, to have been serving in the wars in France in 1475 as an Esqoiie. 
Feed. tom. xL p. 845. 



LETTER LIV. 



King Richard the Third to his Chancellor, to prepare 
a Proclamation against Henry Tudor and other 
rebels hisJiXUmers. 

[ms. dokat. mus. BEIT. 4616. art. 98. Ex BUin>. infra tubb. 

LOKD. temp, Eic. III. K. 28.] 



R. R. 

Right reverend fader in God, right trusty and 
right welbeloved, we grete. yow wele, and wol and 
charge yow that under oure Create Seale, being in 
your warde, ye do make in all haist our lettres of Pro- 
clamation, severally to be directed unto the shirrefs of 
everie Countie within this oure Royaume, according 
to the tenure hereafter ensueing. 

" Forasmoche as the King oure Soverain Lorde 
hathe certaine knowledge that Piers Bisshop of Ex- 
cestre, Jasper Tidder sone of Owen Tidder calling 
himself Erie of Pembroke, John late Erie of Oxon, 
and Sir Edward Widevile, with other diverse his re- 
bells and traitours disabled and attaynted by authoritie 
of high Courte of Parliament, of whom many been 



OEIGINAL LETTERS. 163 

knowen for open murdrers, advowters, and extor- 
tioners, contrarie to the pleasure of God and against 
all treuthe, honour, and nature, have forsaken thair 
naturall coiintrey, taking theim furst to be under the 
obeissaunce of the Due of Britaigne, and to him pro- 
mised certain things which by hym and his Counseill 
were thought thinges to gretly unnaturall and abomi- 
nable for theim to graunte, obserre, kepe, and per- 
fourme ; and therfor the same utterly refused. The 
said Traitours seeing that the said Due and his Coun- 
seill would not aide and succour theim, nor folow 
their weyes, prively departed out of his countrey into 
Fraunce,* there taking theim to be undre th'obbeisance 
of the Kings auncient ennemie Charles, calling him- 
self King of Fraunce ; and to abuse and blynde the 
Commones of this said Royaume, the said Rebeles 
and Traitours have chosen to be their Capitayne 
oon Heney Tidder son of Edmond Tidder son of 
Owen Tidder, whiche of his ambitious and insatiable 
covetise incrocheth ai^d usurpeth upon hym the name 
and title of royal estate of this Roialme of Englande, 
wherunto he hath no maner interest, right, title, or 
colour, as every man wel knoweth ; for he is descended 
of bastard blode both of the fader side and moder 
side ; for the said Owen, the grandfader, was a bastard 
borne, and his moder was doughter unto John Due of 



• For a comment upon this passage of the Letter> the reader may refer to Hall's 
Chronicle, edit. 1548. foU. xlv. h. xlvi. 

M 2 



16^ ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

Somerset, sone unto John Erie of Somerset, son unto 
dame Eateryne Swynford, and of her in double ad- 
voutrow goten ; wherby it evidently appereth that noo 
title can or may be in hym, whiche fulley entendeth to 
entre this Royaume purposing a conquest : and if he 
should atcheve this false entent and purpose, every 
mannys lif, livelood, and goods shuld be in his hands, 
libertie, and disposition : wherby shuld ensue the dis- 
heriting and distruction of all the noble and worship- 
full blode of this Royal me for ever. And to the re- 
sistence and withstanding wherof, every true and na- 
turall Englisheman bom must lay to his handes for 
his own suertie, and well, and to the entent that the 
said Henry Tidder might the rather eschewe his said 
fals entent and pourpous by the aide, supporte, and 
assistence of the Kings said auncient ennemye of 
Fraunce, hath covenaunted and bargayned with hym 
and with all the Counscill of Fraunce to geve , . and 
relesse in perpetuyte alle the right, title, and clayme 
that the Kings of England have had and mighte to 
have to the Corone and Royaume of Fraunce, to- 
gidder with the Duchies of Normandye, Angeoye 
and Maygne, Gascoygne and Guyenne, the Castelles 
and Townes of Caleys, Guisnes, Hammes, with the 
merches apperteignyng to the same, and to dessever 
and exclude the armes of Fraunce out of the armes of 
England for ever. And in more prove and sheweing 
of his said pourpose of conquest, the said Henry Tidder 



OniGINAL LETTERS. 165 

hath geven aswele to divers of the Kings said enemy es 
as to his said rebelles and traitoures, the Arch- 
bisshoprekes, Bisshopriches, and other dignities spi- 
rituel, and also the Duchies, Earledomes, Baronies, 
and othre possessions and inheritaunces of Knights, 
Esquires, Gentlemen, and othre the Kings true subgets 
within this Roiaime; and entendeth also to chaunge 
and suhvert the lawes of the same, and to enduce and 
establisshe newe lawes and ordinaunces amongs the 
Kings said subjiettes. And over this and besids the 
alienations of all the premisses into the possession of 
tlie Kings said ancient enemyes, to the gretest au- 
geutisement, shame, and rebuke that ever might falle 
to this lande, the said Henry Tider and othre the 
Kings rebeils and traietours aforesaid, have entended 
at thair cummyng, if theye can be of powair, to doo 
the moost cruell murdres, slaghters, robberies, and dis- 
herisons that ever wer seen in any Cristen Royaume. 
For the whiche and othre inestimable daungieres to 
be eschewed, and to the entent that the Kings said 
rebeils, traitours, and enemyes may be utterly putt 
from their said malicious and fals pourpose, and soon 
disconfited of their enforce to lande, the King oure 
soverayn Lorde desireth, willeth, and commaundeth 
all and everych of the naturel and true subgiets of this 
his Royaume, to call the premisses into their myndes, 

and like good and true Englisshemen to 

thaym self with all their powairs for the defense of 



166 OBIGIKAL LETTERS. 

theim, thair wifs, children, goodes, and hereditaments, 
agenst the said malicious purposes and conspirations 
whiche the said auncient ennemyes have made with 
the Kings said rebelles and traitours for the fynal de- 
struction of this lande as is aforesaid. And oure sayde 
soverayn Lord, as a welewilled, diligent, and couragious 

Prince wol put his royal persone to all 

and payne necessarie in this behalve for the resistence 
and subdueing of his said ennemyes, rebelles and 
traitours to the moost comfort, wele, and suertie of 
all his true and feithfull liegemen and subgiettes; 
and over this oure said soverayn Lorde willeth and 
comaundeth all his said subgietts to be redy in their 
moost defensible arraye, to doo his Highncsse service 
of Werre, whan they by open proclamation or otherr 
wise shall be commanded so to do for the resistence of 
the Kings said rebells, traitours, and enemyes.**^ And 
thise oure Lettres shall be your sufficient warrant in 
that behalve, 

Yeven under oure Signet, at oure Castell of Not- 
yngham, the xxi day of Juyn the secund yere of our 
reigne. 

To the right reverend fader in God 
our right trusty and right welbeloved 
the Bisshop of Lincoln our Chaun- 
cellour of England. 



Another Letter to the Bishop, directing a similar Proclamation to 
be prepared, dated December 3d in the same year, occurs in the Harleian 
Manuscript 433. fol. 273 b. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. l67 



LETTER LV. 

t 

King Henry the Seventh to the Lord Dynham and 
Sir Reginald Bray^ concerning money to he pro- 
videdfor two of his jlmbassadors. 

[mS. DOKAT. BRIT. MU8. 4617* Af^ 42.] 

*«* This, and the four Letters which follow, are Privy Seals of King 
Henry the Seventh. 

This concerns the Embassy of Sir Edward Poynings and Dr. Warham 
to the Court of Burgundy, and gives us a sample, in one passage, of the 
King*s economy. 

The next orders the pajnnent of the charges and expense of certain 
Scottish ambassadors during their abode in England. 

The third and fourth, in the sixth y^ur of his reign, concern the wages 
of the persons to whose care his infant children were intrusted. 

The fifth, among other rewards, directs ten pounds to be given to two 
Spaniards, who brought over from Ferdinand and Isabella certain female 
Moors, '' Women Saracens," as they are called, apparently for the 
King*s inspection. Stowe tells us, in his Annals, of another exhibition 
to King Henry the Seventh, of the same kind, in 1502, of three men who 
had been brought from the new discovered islands in America by Se- 
bastian Cabot* 



By the King. 
ri. xi. 
Right trusty and welbeloved, and trusty and right 
welbeloved, We grete you wel. And in asmoche as 
we have appointed our ful trusty servants Sir Ed- 
ward Ponyngs and Doctor William Warham oure 
Counseillors, to goo on oure Ambassad to oure cousin 

« Stowc, Annates, edit. 1681. p. 483. 



168 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

tirArcheduc of Burgoine, it behoveth theym to have 
for their costs : and therfor We have appointed, for the 
said Sir Edward, thre pound by the day whiles he 
shall .be absent, the rekenyng of the day to begyne at 
his departing out of oure Citie of London to the see- 
ward ; and to have in hand and redy money for thirty 
dayes, which amounteth to the some of foure score and 
ten poundes sterlings. And the said Doctor William, 
twenty shillings by the day after the same rekenyng, 
and to have for thritty dayes thritty poundes in hand. 
And soo in caas they be languer in our Ambassad, 
then XXX. dayes, that then they have their allowances' 
and payments after the rate of the dayes and sonunes 
abovesaid. Understanding of the same Doctor War- 
ham where the money is, that was appointedjbr hym 
when he shulde last have goon unto our said Cousin, 
and did not : and theruppon to deale with hym as the 
caas shall require. But howe soever ye doo, see ye 
tliat they be despeched accordingly as it is abovesaid, 
and that without tarying or delay ; as oure very trust 
is in you. Yeven undre oure Signet at oure Castel of 
Kenelworth the v*^ day of July. 

To our right trusty and wel- 
beloved the Lord Dynham oure 
Tresourer of England^ and our 
trusty and right welbeloved knight 
for our body Sir Raynold Bray 
chancellor of our Duchie of Lan- 
castre^ our Couhseillours. 



ORIGINAL LETTEES. 169 



LETTER LVI. 

King Henry the Seventh to the Under^Treasurer of 
England^ concerning the charges of the Scottish 
ambassadors, 

[hs. dokat. bbit. mus. 4617* art. 'JS.from baev. hen. vii. an.. . n. 5.] 



By the King. 
xl. R. 

Tkusty and right welbeloved we grete you wele, 

and wol and charge you that incontinent, aftre the 

sight lierof and by vertue of the same, ye delivre to the 

hands of oure trusty and welbeloved squier William 

Fyssher, Cofferer of oure Houshold, the summe of 

twenty thre pounds four shillings and ten pens sterlings, 

to thentent that he with the same may content and sa- 

tisfie the charges and expenses of the Ambassadours of 

Scotland during their abode here, .according to oure 

appoinctement in that behalve. And wee shal see that 

amongs other things ye shal have due and juste alloWf 

aunce of the said summe as right arid reason require. 

And therfore faille ye not herof as we. specially trust 

you. Yeven undre oure Signet at oure manoir of 

Shene the xxiij day of Marche. 

To oure trusty and right wel- 
beloved Counsaillour, Robert Lit- 
ton our Undrc-treasourer of Eng- 
land. 



170 OHIGINAL LETTERS. 



LETTER LVII. 

King Henry the Seventh to the Treasurer and Cham- 
berlains of his Exchequer ^f(yr the payment of money 
to Persons attendant on his son Prince Arthur. 

[ us. DOKAT. BRIT. MV8. 461 7* A^t 108.yrom BREV. HEN.vii. an. 6. n. 26.] 



Henry by the grace of God King of Englond and 
of Fraunce, and Lord of Irland, to the Tresourer and 
Chambrelains of our Eschequier greting. For as- 
moche as the summe of twenty markes sterlings resteth 
due unto oure dere and welbeloved dame Elizabeth 
Darey lady maistres unto oure derest Son the Prince, 
and fyve markes sterlinges unto oure welbeloved 
Agnes Butler and Emlyn Hobbes rokkers of oure 
said Son, that is to say to every of theim xxxiij. s. iiij. d. 
for their wages of the half yere ended at Estre last 
passed ; We, willing their spedy contentacion in that 
behalve, wol and charge you that of oure Tresour being 
in your warde ye content and paye unto theim, or to 
their deputie in their names, the summes aforsaid, with- 
oute any prest or charge setting upon theim or any of 
theim for the same, and thies oure letters shal be your 
Warraunt. Yeven undre oure Prive Seel at oure ma- 



ORIGINAL LETTEBS. 171 

noir of Grenewiche, the xxvij*^. day of May the sexte 
Yere of oure Reigne, 

BELL. 



The same Volume which contains this Letter, preserves another, art 
41, from Brev. 1 Hen. VII. n. 10. directing an annuity of twenty 
pounds a year to be granted to Philip ap Howel, and Jane his wife 
" sumiymcovBi Norice." 



LETTER LVIII. 



King Henry the Seventh to the Treasurer and Cham- 
berlains of his Exchequer <i for 'payment ofm<mey to 
tfte Attendants on the Lady Margaret. 

[ms. donat. BRIT. Mus. 461 7> art 90. from brev. hen. vii. an. 6.n. 30.] 



Henby by the grace of God King of England and 
of Fraunce, and Lord of Irland, to the Tresourer and 
Chamberlains of our Eschequier, greting. 

Wher ther is due unto our welbelovede Alice Davi, 
norce to our derrist beloved doughter the lady Mar- 
garete, the summe of fjrve pounds ; to Anne Maylande 
thirty thre shillings and four pens, toMargarete Trough- 
ton thirty thre shillings and four pens, rockers to the 
same our daughter ; and to Alice By wymble, hir day 
wife, thirty thre shillings and four pens ; amounting in 
all to the sume of ten pounds by reason of their wages 



172 OKIGIXAL LETTERS. 

for an half yere ended the xxij ' day of the moneth of 
May last past, whiclie we have appointed to bepaied 
by your handes. We, desiring them to have hasty con- 
tentation of their wages aforesaid, woll and charge yow 
that forthwith upon the sight herof, ye, of suche our 
tresour as remaigneth in your keping, deliver to the 
bearer of thies presents to their behouf, the said summe 
of ten pounds and every pareell therof, without any 
prest or othre charge to be sette upon theim or any of 
theim in that partie. And thies our Letters shalbe 
your sufBsaunt warrant and discharge in that behalve. 
Yeven undre our prive Seel at our manoir of Grene- 
wiche, the xxix^ day of Juyn the sixt yere of our 
reigne. 

N. PUEDE. 



LETTER LIX. 

King Henry the Vllth to the Treasurer and Cham- 
berlains of the Exchequer^ Jbr various payments, 
^.2>. 1491. 

[ms. donat. 4617* art. 98./rom brev. hek. vii. an. 6. n. 36.] 



Heney by the grace of God king of Englond and 
of Fraunce, and Lorde of Irlande, to the Tresourer 
and Chambrelains of our Eschequier greting. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 173 

We wol and charge you that of oure tresour, resting 
in your warde, ye deliver unto the personnes herein- 
named thies summes of money herafter folowing. 
Furst, unto Loveles of Calays the summe of ten 
markes: item, to two Spaignards, servantes to oure 
cousin the king of Romaynes, the summe of xL 
markes : item, to a Spaignard, that brought the women 
Sarrasynes unto us from oure cousines the King and 
Quene of Spaigne, the sume of ten pounds : item, to 
the servants of Piers Eggecombe that brought unto 
us two prisoners, {y\e markes : withoute prest or other 
charge to be sette uppon theim, or any of theim, for 
the same. And thies our Letters shalbe your warrant 
and suffisaunt discharge anempts u»at all tymes in this 
partie. Yeven undre our prive Seel at oure manoir 
of Grenewiche the xi^i^ day of Juyll the sext yere of 
oure reigne. 

N. PURDE. 



It would have gratified the editor of these Volumes, could he hay? 
discovered any Letters of Henry the Eighth written during his youngez 
years while Prince : but the search for these has been fruitless. There 
is one, however, preserved among the Latin Letters written to Erasmus, 
upon a subject which did his feelings honor, and which the reader wiU 
probably not dislike to see transplanted here. 

Philip King of Castile, in the boning of 1506, going with his 
Queen, from- the Netherlands to take possession of their Throne, was 
driven by a storm to England ; where, during a residence of three months 
Henry the Seventh endeavoured to obtain favourable concessions from him, 
whUst the Prince established a friendship which was thought likely to be 
lasting ; • but Philip died, soon after his arrival in Spain, of a fever, Sept. 

* A Narrative of King Philip's entertainment by King Henry the Seventh, at 
Windsor, when he was invested with the Order of the Garter, is preserved in the 
Cottoqian MS. Vespasian C. xii. with copies of the Treaties which the two Sovereigns 
entered into. 



174 ORIGIKAL LETTERS. 

16^ 1606. A short time after, the following Letter was addressed to 
Ennnui by Prince Henry ; in the latter part of which he has deplored 
the dfcath of Philip, to use Erasmus's own words, '' nan minus amanter 
quam eUgOMUrJ** 

*' PeIVCZPS HeIOUCUS DeS. ErASMO VTRO VNDECUNaUE DOCTIS- 

SIMO, S. 

'' Jetut est Spes mea, 

'' Tuis plurimom sum litteris affectus, disertissime Erasme, quippe 
qiUB et Tenusdoies sunt quam ut raptim videantur exarats, et lucidae 
simplicesque magis quam que ab ingenio tam solerti prsmeditatie judi- 
oentur. Fit enim, nescio quo pacto, ut qus ab ingeniosis elaborata, de- 
ditiore depromuntur opera, plus pariter affectats secum afi«rant difficulta- 
tis: nam dum tersiori studemus doquio, subterfugit nos clanculum 
i^wrtus ille clarusque dicendi modus. Sed tua isthaec Epistola quantum 
Tcnustate pollet, tantum etiam sua perspicuitate liquet, ut prorsus omne 
puDCtum tulisse videaris. Sed quid ego tuam laudare paro facundiam, 
cujus per totum terrarum orbem est nobilitata sdentia? Nihil queo 
equidem in tuam laudem effingere, quod tam consummata isthaec erudi- 
tione satis dignum sit. Quare tuas laudes omitto, de quibus silere satius 
puto quam nimis parce dicere. 

'' Rumorem ilium de morte Castellani Regis, mei firatris penitus pe- 
nitusque desideratissimi, longe antequam ex tuis litteris oppido invitus 
acceperam : sed eum utinam aut serius multo aut minus verum ad nos 
fama tulisset ! Nunquam enim, post charissims genitricis mortem, nun- 
tius hue venit invisior : et parcius, ut yerum fatear, huic litterarum parti 
favebam, quam earum singularis postulabat el^antia, quod cicatricem, 
cui callum tempus obduxerat, reMcare visa est. Verum qus superis 
sunt visa, mortalibus rata haberi fas est. Tu yero perge, eaque nobis 
litteris significa si qua sunt istic nova, sed jucundiora. Deus fortunet 
quscunque memoratu digna acdderint Vale. Ex Richemundia, 17 
Januarii.*'* 



* Enumi Epist. fol. Lugd. Bat 1701. Pars ii. epist. cccclL coL 1840. This is 
usually considered the best edition of the Letters of Erasmus : but it is right to 
caution the English reader that the dates of such Letters as refer to English Literature 
and History are not always to be relied upon. A Letter, for instance, which describes 
the accession of Henry the VII Ith. has the date of 1497 ; while another in which the 
name of bishop Latimer occurs has the date oS 1517. 



LETTERS 



OF 



THE REIGN OF 



HENRY THE EIGHTH. 



Lord Herbert, quoting the History of the Council of Trent re- 
specting Henry the Eighth, says ^' his education was accurate, being 
destined to the archbishoprick of Canterbury, during the life of his elder 
brother Prince Arthur ; that prudent King his father choosing this as 
the most cheap and glorious way for bestowing of a younger son. For 
as he at once disburthened his revenues and the public from the charge 
incident to so great a person, so he left a passage open to amhition ; 
especially ever since Eugenius the IVth. had declared the place of a 
Cardinal above all other in the Church.'' 

The theological part of Henry's education, was, no doubt, serviceable 
to him in the changes of a later period ; but the reader will be astonished 
to learn that it had its effect at an earlier time than is usually supposed. 
The Cottonian manuscript Tiberius E. viii. contains the Ceremonial 
for his Coronation, prefixed to which is the Oath of the Sovereign altered 
and interlined hy his own hand ; one part especially indicating that 
Henry looked to something like supremacy in the Church of England, 
at the very outset of his reign. 

The following is the Oath in its original form : 

'( The Othe of the Kings Highnes. 

'^ This is the Othe that the King shall swere at his Coronation, that 
he shall kepe and mayntene the right and the liberties of Holie Churche 
of old tyme graunted by the rightuous Cristen Kings of England : and 
that he shall kepe all the londs, honours, and dignytees rightuous and 
ire of the Crowne of England in all maner hole, without any maner of 
mynysshement ; and the rights of the Crowne, hurte, decayed, or lost, 
to his power shall call agayn into the auncyent astate ; and that he shall 
kepe the peax of the Holie Churche, and of the Clergie, and of the 
People, with good accorde; and that he shall do in his . judgements 
equytee and right justice, with discretion and mercye ; and that he shall 
graunte to holde the Lawes and Customes of the Realme, and to his 
power kepe them and affirme them which the folk and people have made 
and chosen ; and the evill Lawes and Customes hollie to put out ; and 
fitedfaste and stable peax to the people of his Realme kepe, and cause to 
be kept to his power." 

The Oath, as altered, stands thus : 

" The Othe of the Kings Highnes at every Coronation, 

'< The King shall then swere that he shall kepe and ma3mtene the 
lawfull right and the libertees of old tyme graunted by the ryghtuous 
Cristen Kings of Englond to the holt Chirche of Inoland noit 
preJudyciaU to hys Jurysdyction and Dignite ryall^ and that he shall 
kepe all the londs, honours, and dignytees rightuous, and fredonunes of 
the Crowne of Englond in all maner hole, without any maner of 



Daynywhement, and the rights of the CroWne hUrte, dec&yed, or lost, tft 
his power shall call agajrn into the auncyent astate ; and that he shall 
indevore hynuelfe to e£pe Unite in his Clergte and temporell mhm 
jectt; and that he shall accordyng to his consiens in aU his judgements 
mynystere equytie, right, and justice, shetoyng wher is to be shewyd 
mercy; and that he shall graunte to hold the lawes and approvyd cus- 
tomes of , the Realme, and lawfull and nott prejudiciall to hys Crowne or 
Irnperiall duty, to his power kepe them and afiirme them which the 
nohlys and people have made and chosen with his consent ; and the evill 
Lawes and Customes hoUie to put out ; and stedfaste and stable peax to 
the people of his realme kepe and cause to be kept to his power, in that 
whych honour and equite do require,** 

A Fac Simile of this Oath, with the King's interlineations as they 
«tand in the manuscript, forms the Frontispiece to the present Volume. 

It is probably not unknown to most of the readers of this Work, that 
whenever the Council of the Senate of Venice sent an 'ambassador to a 
foreign Country, in former times, they ordered him to study and report 
to them upon the circumstances of the State to which he was sent, its 
geographical condition, population, wealth, and various relations ; with 
all that he could learn of the personal characters, not only of the Sovereign 
but of the principal members of his Court* 

The following was the description which Sebastiano Giustiniani, the 
Venetian resident in England in 1519, gave to the Council of the Pre- 
gati, of the person and manners of King Henry the Eighth. 

'' His Majesty is about twenty-nine years of age, as handsome as 
nature could form him, above any other Christian Prince ; handsomer 
by far than the King of France. He is exceeding fair ; and as well pro- 
portioned in every part as is possible. When he learned that the King 
of France wore a beard, he allowed his also to grow ; which being some- 
what red, has at present the appearance of being of gold. He is an ex- 
xellent musician and composer ; an admirable horseman and wrestler. 
He possesses a good knowledge of the French, Latin, and Spanish lan- 
guages ; .and is very devout. On the days in which he goes to the chace, he 
hears mass three times ; but on other days he goes as often as five times. 
He has every day service in the Queen's chamber at vespers and com- 
pline. He is uncommonly fond of the chace, and never indulges in this 
diversion without tiring eight or ten horses. These he has stationed at the 
different places where he purposes to stop. When one is fatigued, he 
mounts another ; and, by the time he returns home, they have all been 
used. He takes great delight in bowling, and it is the pleasantest sight 

* See Foscarini della Letteratura Vraeziana, p. 4eo. n. S98. 
VOL. I. SER. 2. N 



In the worid to aee him engaged in this excerdse, with his fair skin 
covered with a heautifully fine shirt. He plays with the hostages of 
Fiance, and it is said that they sport from six to eight thousand ducats 
in a day.* Afiable and benign, he offends no one. He has often said to 
the Ambassador, he wished tliat erery one was content with his condi- 
tion. *• We are content with our IsUuids.' He is very desirous of pie- 
serying peace ; and possesses great wealth.**^ 

This seems the Character to which Henry the Eighth was really inti- 
tled in his earlier years ; and it is cotroborated no where more frequently 
than in the Letters of Erasmus and his friends. The. business of the 
Divoroe seems to hare first roused the more angry passions of his nature. 
Wolsey perceived, and felt them, as we leam from the description of his 
Master which he gave, in his last moments, to Sir William Kyngeston. 
*' He is sure a Prince of a royal courage, and hath a princely heart ; and 
rather than he will either miss or want any part of his will or appetite, 
he win put the loss of one half of his realm in danger. For I assure you 
I hare often kneeled befrae him in his privy chamber on my knees, ^ 
space of an hour w two, to persuade him from his will and appetite : but 
I could never bring to pass to dissuade him theiefrom. Therdbre, Mas- 
ter Kingston, if it chance hereafter you to be one of his privy connsell, as 
for your wisdom and other qualities ye are meet to be, I warn you to be 
well advised and assured what matter ye put in his head, for ye shall 
never put it out again.'* <^ 

Erasmus has comprised the state of England under Henry's dominion, 
six years later, in a single sentence. ^ In Anglia omnes aut Mens ntt- 
ttt/tt, aut METUS contraxit,*^^ 

• It is not impo88H>le but that Lord Herbert may allude to this very circumstance. 
Speaking of Henry's various ExCTcises he says, " Together with these he used some* 
tilnes TennU and Dice / at which certain Strangers used to play with him ; till finding 
their cheatings, at length he chased them away." Hist, of Henry VIIIti>. p. is. 

i> Compendio della Relation de clx^. Sebastiani Giustiniano procr. e cavalier della 
Legation d'Inghilterra, havuta nel Consiglio de Pregati, alii x. Octohre, 151S. The 
original was communicated to the editor by B. H. Bright* Esq. 

c Cavend. Life of Wolsey, Singer's edit vol. i. p. 321. 

* Erasmi Epist Lugd. Bat. fol.lTOS. torn. ii. col. 1519. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 179 



LETTER LX. 

Answer to the Challenge qfthe Four Knights^ ai the 
Justs held in honor of the birth of a Prince^ in 1611. 

[CAaX. BARL. ANTIO. 83 H. 1.] 

*«* Hall the chronicler has been remarkably minute upon the re- 
joicings which took place on New Year*s Day 1511, when Katherine of 
Arragon produced a Prince to Henry the Ei^th. Having described the 
pageant which was devised upon the feast of the Epiphany following, 
Hall says, 

'* Shordy after, and before the Queen's churching, the King rode to 
Valsingham. The Queen being churched or purified, the King and 
she removed from Richmond to Westminster, where was preparation for 
A solemn Justs in the honor of the Queen, the King being one, and with 
him three aids : His Grace being called Cure Maly the Lord William 
Eazl of Devonshire called Bon voloire. Sir Thomas Knevet named Bon 
etpoir^ Sir Edward Nevil called Valiaunt desire^ whose names were set 
UPON A GOODLY TABLE, and the table hanged in a tree curiously 
wron§^t, and they were called Let qwOer Chivalers de la Forrest 
Sahigne ; these four to run at the tilt against all commas ; with other 
certain Articles comprised in the said Table.'' 

The Table here described is in reality the present Letter. It is pre- 
served among the Harleian Charters, and is on vellum ; on the left side^ 
rising fiom the lower comer, a green tree is represented, ornamented 
alternately with roses and pomegranates; upon which, one above an- 
other, hang the Shields of the King and his Aids. The first or upper- 
most is the Eling's, it bears a heart and the letter L in gold joined by a 
true-love knot, upon a field gules and azure quarterly, for Cceur loidL 
The second shield, azure, bears the letters V. D. joined by another knot 
in gold ; this was Sir Edward Neville's. The third, the Earl of Devon- 
shire's, has B. v. and the knot in gold. The fourth. Sir Thomas Kne- 
▼et's, has J. P. and the knot ; Joyous panter being substituted in the 
actual Tablet, for Hall's Bon espoir* The Signatures of the King, and 
of the answerers of these Justs appear at the bottom, in their own hands- 
writing. When Hall speaks of the names of these knights as '^ set upon 

27 8 



180 ORTCINAL LETTERS. 

a goodly Table, and the Table hanged in a Tree," he alludes to the 
Ornaments round this Letter. The plaster, which still adheres to the 
back, indicates it to have been fixed against the wall at the entrance of 
the Lists. 



Be it knowen to all men, that whereas certaine Let- 
ters have bene sent and directed unto the taoost high 
noble and excellent princesse the Quene of England 
and of Fraunce, from her right dere and best beloved 
cousyn Noble Renome Quene of the Royalme named 
Ceure noble, having knowledge of the good and gra- 
cious fortune of the byrthe of a YONG PRYNCE that 
it hath pleased God to send to her and to her make ; ^ 
which is the moost joye and comfort that mought be 
to her and to the moost renomed Royalme of England; 
considering the vailliantenes, vertues, and expert no- 
bles, ^ which highly aboundeth in her moost derest 
cousyn the King of the same, hath sent iiij knyghtes 
borne in the Roialme of Ceure noble, whose names 
foloweth; that is to say, Ceure hyall, VaMiatmt de- 
syrej Bane vaioyr^ and Joyous pamper, to accomplishe 
certaine feats of Armes, which at the instaiuice and 
desire of the said Princesse hath goten and opteyned of 
the King our soverain lord licence to fiimysshe and 
accomplishe thise Articles folowing. 

And forasmoche as, after the order and honor of 
Armes, it is not lefull for any man to enterprise armes 
in soo high a presence withoute his stokke and name 

* husband. «> noMesse. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 181 

be of nobles descended; in consideracion, thise iiij 
Knightes be of soo ferre and straunge parties, they shall 
present theymself with theyr names portered^ in theyr 
shyldes. 

Item, thise iiij Knightes shall present themself in the 
feld at the palays of Richemount, or elleswhere it shall 
pleas the Kinges grace, at the tyme of Candelmas next 
or nigh therupon, in hameys for the Tylte, withoute 
tache oi: breket, wolant pece on the hede, rondell on 
the garde, reste of advantage, fraude, deceyt, or any 
other malengyne. 

Item to every Comer shalbe ronne syx courses, pro- 
vided alwey, if the comers be of soo grete nomber 
that they cannot resonably be answered for one day, 
it shall be lefuU for the iiij chalengers to enter the 
felde the seconde daye, and soo to answer all the comers 
to the full nomber, be served of suche as be noble of 
name or of armes and withoute reproche. 

Item, all speres to be garnished and brought to the 
felde at the provision and charges of the Chalengers, 
of the which speres the answerers alweys to have the 
choyce. 

Item, if it happe any man, as God defend, to kyll his 
felowes horse by wey of foule ronnyng, he shalbe 
bounde that soo doth to gyve the hors that he rydeth 
on to his felowe, or the price of the horse soo kylled, 
at the discrecion of the Juges. 

• pouitraycd. 



182 ORIGINAL LETTERS.. 

Item, who stryketh his felowe beneth the waste, or 
in the sadell, with full course, by wey of foule ron- 
I'j^K) he shalbe disallowed of ij speres before well 
broken. 

Item, who striketh his felowe uncharged and disgar- 
nysshed of his spere, shalbe disallowed at the discre- 
don of the Juges. 

Item, who breketh his spere above the chamell to 
be allowed ij speres well broken, after the olde cus- 
tumeofAnnes 

Item, who breketh his spere mome to mome, to be 
allowed iij speres after the custume of Armes. 

Item, who breketh moost speres is worth the pryse. 

Item, who striketh doun hors and man is better 
worth the prise. 

Item, whio striketh his felowe clene oute of the sadell, 
is best worth the pryse. 

Item, if any gentilman chalenger, or defender, breke 
a staff on the tylt, to be disallowied a staffe. 

Item, it is the pleasure of the King our moost dradde 
Soverain Lord, that the Queues grace and the ladies, 
with the advice of the noble & discrete Juges, to gyve 
prises after fheir deservynges unto both the parties. 

Item, that every gentilman answerer doo subscribe 
his name to the Articles. 

Item, it is the humble request of thise iiij Gentilmen, 
that if in theyr articles be comprised moTe or lasse 
then honnor or curtesi requireth, ever to submytte 



ORIGINAL LKTTEES. 



183 



them to the Quene and the Ladies, and they alweys to 
adde and mynysshe at theyr noble pleasures. 

At Westminster the xij^^ day of February the ij<^e 
yere of our Soverain Lord King Henry the eight. 



HENAY s. 



The furst daye. 

Rychard de Gray, 
Thomas Cheyny, 
William Par, 
Robert Morton, 
Richard Blunt, 
Thomas Tyrell, 
S**. Rowland, 
Cristoffer Wyloughby 



8. 



The ijde. daye. 

Thomas Howard Charles Brandon 

Henry Stafford erll of Whyllsyre Edmund Howard 

Loenard Graey 

Lord Marquis. John Grey Ric. Tempest 

S^ Thomas Boleyn. Henry Guilford Thomas Lucy 
John Melton Gryffyth Don. 



Hall's Descripdcm of the Pageants thus devised for the 12*^ and 13^>^ 
6f February 1511, are singularly charaderistic of the feats of Anns which 
marked these days of Chivalry. 
* '* A place in ^e Palace was prepared for the King and also the Queen, 



184 ORIGINAL L£TT£11S. 

ridil J hanged, the inner put with doth of gold, and the outer with ri<^ 
doth of anas. These Justs began the 13^ day of February. After 
that, that the Queen with her train of ladies had taken their places, inter 
the palace was conveyed a pageant of a great quantity, nude like a fbiest, 
with rocks, hills, and dales, with divers sundry trees, flowers, hawthorns, 
fern, and grass, with six foresters standing within the same forest, gar- 
nished in coats and hoods of green vdvet, by whom lay a great number 
of spears. AH the trees, heibs, and flowers of the same forest were made 
of green vdvet, green damask, and silk of divers colours, satin and 
sarcenet. In the midst of this forest was a Castle standing, made of 
gold, and before the castle-gate sat a gentleman freshly appardled, 
making a garland of roses for the prize. This forest was drawn as it 
were by strength of two great beasts, a lion and an antdope ; the lion 
flourished all over with damask gold, the antdope was wrought all over 
with silver of damask, his beams or homes and tusks of gold : these 
beasts were led with certain men appardled like wild men, or wood* 
houses, their bodies, heads, faces, hands, and legs, covered with green 
silk flushed. On dther of the said antdope and lion sat a lady ridily 
apparelled : the beasts were tied to the pageant with great chains of gdd, 
as horses be in the cart. When the pageant rested before the Queen, the 
forenamed foresters blew their horns. Then the device or pageant opened 
on an sides, and out issued the foresaid four knights, aimed at all pieces, 
every of them a spear in his hand on horseback, with great plumes on 
their heads, their basses and trappers of doth of gold, every of them his 
name embroidered on his basse and trapper. On the other part with great 
noise, as well of trumpets as of drums, entered into the field the earl of 
Essex, the lord Th(Hnas Howarde, with many other dean armed, their 
trappers and basses all of crimson satin embroidered with branches of 
pomegranates of gold, and posies, with many a fresh gentleman riding 
before them, their footmen also wdl apparelled : and so the Justs b^an, 
and endured all that day. 

**• The morrow, being the 13^^ day of February, after dinner, at time 
convenient, the Queen with the ladies repaired to see the Justs; the 
trumpets blew up, and in came many a nobleman and gentleman richly 
appudled, taking up their horses; after whom followed certain lorda 
appardled, they and their horses, in doth of gold and russet tinsd; 
knights in doth of gold and russet vdvet; and a great number of gentle- 
men on foot, in russet satin and yellow ; and yeomen in russet damask 
and yellow : all the nether part of every man*s hose scarlet ; and ydlow 
caps. Then came the King under a pavilion of doth of gold and purple 
ydvet embroidered, and powdered with H. and K. of fine gold; tha 
compass of the pavilion above embroidered richly, and valanced with flat 
KQld, beaten \a wire ; with an imperial crown in the top of fine gol^s his 



ORttitNAL LETTERS. 185 

VaMes and trapper of doth of gold fretted with damask gold, the trapper 
pendant to the tail ; a crane and chafron of steel ; in the front of the 
chafron was a goodly plume set ftiU of museiis or trembling spangles of 
gold. After followed his three aids, every of them under a pavilion of 
crimson damask and purple, powdered with H. and K. of fine gold, va- 
lanced and fringed widi gold of damask : on the top of every pavilion a 
great K. of goldsmith's work. The number of the gentlemen and yeomen 
attendant a foot, apparelled in russet and yellow, was a hundred and 
sixty-eight Then next these pavilions came twelve children of honor, 
sitting every of them on a great courser, richly trapped and embroidered 
in several devices and fashions ; where lacked neither broidery nor gold- 
smith's work, so that every child and horse, in device and fashion, was 
contrary to other, which was goodly to behold. 

^ Then, on the counter part, entered Sir Charles Brandcm, first on horse- 
back, in a long robe of russet satin, like a recluse or a religious person, 
and his horse trapped in the same suit ; without drum or noise of min- 
strelsy ; putting a bill of petition to the Queen, the effect whereof was, 
that if it would please her to licence him to run in her presence, he would 
do it gladly ; and if not, then he would depart as he came. After that 
his request was granted, then he put off his said habit, and was armed at 
all pieces, with rich basses, and horse also richly trapped ; and so did run 
his horse to the tilt end, where divers men on foot apparelled in russet 
satin awaited on him. Next after came in alone young Henry Guilford, 
esquire, himsdf and his horse in russet doth of gold and doth of silver, 
dosed in a device, or a pageant made like a castle or a turret, wrought of 
russet sarcenet florence, wrought, and set out in gold with his word or 
posey ; and aD his men in russet satin and white, with hose to the same, 
and thieir bonnets of like colours ; demanding also licence of the Queen 
to run, whidi to him granted, took place at the end of the tilt Then 
came next the Marquis Dorset and Sir Thomas Boleyn, like two pilgrims 
from Saint James, in tabards of black vdvet, with palmers' hats on their 
helmets, with long Jacob's staves in their hands, ^eir horse trappers of 
black vdvet, their tabards, hats, and trappers set with scollop didls of 
fine gold and stripes of black vdvet, every stripe set with a scollop shdl ; 
their servants all in black satin, with scollop shells of gold in their 
breasts. Soon after came in the lord Henry of Buckingham earl of 
Wiltshire ; himself and his horse appaidled in doth of silver, embroi- 
dered with a posey, or his word, and arrows of gdd in a posey, called La 
maison du refuge^ made of crimson damask, broidered with roses and 
arrows of gold ; on the top a greyhound of silver, bearing a tree of pome- 
granates of gold ; the brandies thereof were so large that it overspread 
the pageant in all parts. Then entered Sir Giles Capdl, Sir Rowland, 
with many other knights^ richly armed and i^pardled. And thus began 



186 OBIGINAL LETTERS. 

the Justs, which was valiantly achieved by the King and his aids, among 
whom his Grace attahied the prize. These Juste finished, every man 
withdrew, the King was disarmed, and at time convenient he and the 
Queen heard even-song ; and that night all the Ambassadors supped with 
the King, and had a great banquet After supper, his Grace with the 
Queen, lords, and ladies, came into the White Hall, within the said 
palace, which was hanged richly ; the Hall was scaffolded and railed on 
all parts. There was an interlude of the gentlemen of his chapel before 
his Grace, and divers fresh songs : that done, his Grace called to him a 
great man, or a lord of Ireland called Odonell, whom in the presence of 
the said ambassadors, he made knight : then the minstrels began to play, 
the lords and ladies began to dance. 

^^ And in the most of this pastime, when all persons were most attentive 
to behold the dancing, the King was suddenly gone unknown to the most 
part of the people there, unless it were of the Queen and of certain other. 
Within a little while after his departing, the trumpete at the end of the 
Hall began to blow. Then was there a device or a pageant upon wheels 
brought in, out of the which pageant issued out a gentleman richly ap- 
parelled, that showed, how in a garden of pleasure there was an arbour 
of gold, wherein were lords and ladies, much desirous to show pleasure 
and pastime to the Queen and ladies, if they might be licensed so to do; 
who was answered by the Queen, how she and all other there were Very 
desirous to see them and their pastime. Then a great doth of arras that 
did hang before the same pageant was taken away, and the pageant 
brought more near: it was curiously made and pleasant to behold : it was 
solemn and rich, for every post or pillar thereof was covered with frise 
gold : therein were trees of hawthorn, eglantines, rosiers, vines, and other 
pleasant flowers of divers colours, with gillofers, and other herbs, all 
made of satin, damask, silk, silver, and gold, accordingly as .the natural 
trees, herbs, or flowers ought to be. In whidi arbour were six ladies, all 
apparelled in white satin and green, set and embroidered full of H. and K. 
of gold, knit together with laces of gold, of damask; and all their gar- 
ments were replenished with glittering spangles gilt over. On their heads 
were bonnete all opened at the four quarters, overMsed with flat gold of 
damask ; the orrellettes were of rolls wreathed on lampas douck hollow, 
so that the gold showed through the lampas douck; the fassis of their 
bead set full of new devised fashions. In this garden, also, was the 
King, and five with him, apparelled in garments of purple satin, all of 
cute with H. and K. every edge garnished with frised gold, and every 
garment full of posies, made of letters of fine gold in bullion, as thick as 
t^ey might be, and every person had his name in like letters of massy 
gold. The first Cuer loyall; the second Bone yolure ; in the third Bone 
esjHfier ; the fourth VaJyaunt desyre ; the fifth Bo^foy ; the sixth Anumre 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 187 

loyall. Their hose, caps, and coats, were full of posies and H. and K. of 
fine gold in bullion, so that the ground could scarce appear, and yet was 
in every void place spangles of gold. When time was come, the said 
pageant was brought forth into presence, and then descended a lord and 
a lady by couples, and then the minstrels, which were disguised, also 
danced, and the lords and ladies danced, that it was a pleasure to behold. 
^' In the mean season the pageant was conveyed to the end of the place, 
there to tarry till the dances were finished, and so to have received the 
lords and ladies again ; but suddenly the rude people ran to the pageant, 
and rent, tore, and spoiled the pageant, so that the Lord Steward nor 
the head ofiicers could not cause them to abstain, except they should 
have foughten and drawn blood ; and so was this pageant broken. 

^' After the King and his companions had danced, he appointed the 
ladies, gentlewomen, and the ambassadors to take the letters of their 
garments In token of liberality, which thing the common people per- 
ceiving ran to the King, and stripped him into his hose and doublet, and 
all his companions in likewise. Sir Thomas Knevet stood on a stage, 
and for all his defence he lost his appareL The ladies likewise were 
spcnled, wherefore the king's guard came suddenly, and put the people 
back, or else as it was supposed more inconvenience had ensued. So the 
King with the Queen and the ladies returned to his chamber, where they 
had a great banquet, and all these hurts were turned to laughing and 
game ; and thought that all that was taken away was but for honor and 
largess ; and so this triumph ended with mirth and gladness. At this 
banquet, a shipman of London caught certain letters which he sold to a 
goldsmith for 3/. lAt. 8d. by reason whereof it appeared that the gannents 
were of a great value. 

^ After this great joy came sorrowful chance, for the young Prince, 
which was bom upon new year's day last past, upon the 22d day of 
February, being then the even of Saint Matthew, departed this world at 
Richmond ; and from thence was carried to Westminster, and buried." 

The original Roll of the Tournament here described, splendidly il. 
luminated, is still preserved among the Manuscripts in the Herald's Col- 
lege ; and is one of the most magnificent relics now remaining of its kind. 
It is engraved in a reduced size in the Yetusta Monumenta of the Society 
<tf Antiquaries, vol. i. plates xxL to xxvi. indusive. 



188 OKIGINAL LETTERS. 



LETTER LXI. 

Dr. WtUiam Knight to Thomas Wohey the King's 
Alfnonevy A. D. 1512, concerning the affairs of 
Navarre. 

[XS. COTTON. MT78. BRIT. VE8P. C. I. foL 79* Orig-I 

*»* Katherine de Foix Queen of Navarre was married to John d* Al- 
bert Count de Perigord, Limoges, and Dreux, in the month of June 
1484 ; he, as her husband, being allowed to reign in her right 

John d* Albert, however, embroiled his country in the quarrels of 
France and Castile, till, in 1512, Ferdinand the Catholic, without any 
declaration of war, overran his dominions in a few days ; and, having 
offered terms which could not be accepted, dispossessed both him and 
Katherine. 

John d* Albert's queen is said to have told her husband what was per- 
haps true ; that, had she been Johk and he Kathebine, they had lived 
and died King and Queen of Navarre. 

Ekolakd having joined the ^^ Holy League** for the extinction of 
Schism and defence of the Roman Church, was, at this time, in alliance 
with Spain, and allowed the conquest of Navarre, in the hope of ensuring 
her own conquest ofGuienne. Of the Army which she sent to Spain, 
under the command of the Marquis of Dorset, some curious particulars 
will be found in this and the ensuing Letter ; such as lead us almost to 
consider it a fortunate circumstance that it was not brought into action. 
Stowe says, '^ The Englishmen, for the most part, were victualled with 
garlike, and drank hot wines, and eat hot fruits, which procured their 
blood to boil in their bodies, whereby they fell sick, and died, more than 
eight hundred persons. In the end, many promises being made by the 
King of Spain, and none performed, the Englishmen embarked, and 
landed in England in the month of December. The King of Spain 
seemed to be sore discontented with their departure, affirming that if they 
had tarried till the next spring, he would, in their company, have invaded 
France.** • 

Henry the Eighth, in the Letter which he wrote from Terouenne to 

• Stowe» Ann. edit. 1031. p. 480. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 189 

James the Fourth of Scotland, the delivery of which was prevented by 
the fight at Flodden, reminded him of the fate of John d* Albert. '^ And 
yf the example of the King of NaviEurre be3mge excluded from his royalme 
for assistence gy ven to the Frenche Einge cannot restrayne you from this 
unnaturall deal3mge, we suppose ye shall have lyke assistence of the 
sayde Frenche Kynge as the Kyng of Navarre hath nowe : who is a 
Kynge withoute a realme, and so the Frenche Kynge peaceably suffereth 
kym to contynue, whereunto gdod regard should be taken." * 



Myne especyall good Mastre, aftyr my moost lier* 

tiest recommendation, pleasyth it your mastership to 

understand that the Kyngs armye is yet besides 

Tountrabie; the Armye of the Spagniards hath takyn 

Navarre, the King and the Queue beth fledd into 

Bieme which is parte of the Kyngdome of Navarre, 

but yt lyeth beyond the mowntaynys in playne contre 

toward Fraunce. Thei write that as soone as thei have 

fortified the Contre thei will joyne with oure Armye 

and folow th'^entreprise of Guyen. Yt was allwaiys 

thowzt by the Kyng of Arragon, as he saide, that 

withowte the assuraunce of Navarre we cowde not pre- 

vaile in Guyen, and that he sware, as largeli as any 

nobleman myzte, that all that he dyd attempte or 

ymagine was for the fiu'theraunce of our entreprise. 

His grace had sent to the archebischop of Burdeos with 

many grete offers to see if he cowde wjome hym ; he 

is brother unto Mons''. du Kendall, which is one of 

the noblest of Gascoigne, and of them, as the Kyng 

«aiyth, that favorith rather oure mastyr than the 

Frensh King. Item the saide King hath sent the 

• HaU, Chron. edit 1548. Hen. Vni. fol. xxxi. 



190 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

Prioure of Sci. Spiritus besydes the poorte of Saincte 
Adrian with his bulles of Indulgence into Guyen, and 
hath fownde the meanys as. I herd the saide priour 
saye that the bishop of Bayone, and the bishop of 
Acus, which is within vij. leges of Bayone, had com- 
maunded all such goostli fadyrs as shryveth, bi reason 
of the forsaide Indulgens, that thei shulde shew thair 
goostli Children that our holi father the Pope hath 
assoyled them of their oothys made unto the Frensh 
King, by reason that thei were his vassals, and avisjrnge 
them to recognise the Kings Grace of Inglond for 
their rightfull Soveraigne. And bi these meanys and 
other meny, lyke the Kyngs Grace of Arragon woU 
shew that he is fully mynded, with all his power and 
studye, to help oure entreprise. The bishops above 
namyd have laboryd to the Popis Oratoure that 
he myght make intercession for them, that thei be 
not deprived of thair benefices; and thei say thei 
will helpe in this entreprise ; but if God gyve us the 
Contre I thynke yt shal be expedient that the Kings 
Grace have sum such as he may trust, and specialli 
in Bayone, thoz yt be but small in valew, for it 
passyth not a thousand ducats at the moost, and here- 
aftyr yt shalbe so myche the lesse worthe, because we 
have destroied and burnyd mych in the Contre, bothe 
contrarie to our statutes, and hynderaunce to oure 
voyage. 

Owre armye lyyth contynualli idyll, and doith erthli 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 191 

nothing but fede and slepe, by reason whereof cum- 
myth mych inconvenience ; for late daiys ther was a 
grete bend^ of th'armye that schewid opynli that thei 
wolde serve no more under viij^. a daye, which was 
lyke to have caused grete troble in the boost ; but yt 
was pacyfyed, and oon suffred deth for the same ; and 
now there is many bends that say they will returne 
home at Myghelmas and thei shulde dy therefore ; and 
all this cummyth ex nimio otio. We practysed nevyr 
sith oure cummyng how we shuld behave us in warris, 
as all other men doyth, and as all that evyr I redd of 
have doone, specialli when the Armye is unlemyd and 
bathe not scene the feets^ of warre. We moustre 
nevyr at no payment ; and of a suyrte dyvers of our 
men beth slayne^ and meny otherwaiyes dede, and 
sum stolne away. We folow nother owre Instructions 
nor Statutes ; and I see hitt rather dayli wax wurs 
then amend. Meny of oure Cownsell may sujffer no 
cownsell, wherfor yf it wold like yow to be so good 
Mastyr unto me as fynde the menys that the King& 
Grace myght be good and graciouse unto me, and that 
I myht cum home, youre Mastership shulde bynde me 
so mych that I shuld nevyr be able to deserve hitt. 
There is no thing that moveth me to desyre this but 
fere of inconvenience that may grow upon the pre- 
misses, because of my dewtye and fervent love that I 
ow' unto the Kings Grace. I write this unto your 

• band. *> feats. 



.1 
i 

.4 



19S ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

Mastership, beseking the same to have respecte and 
regarde how ye discovyr this, for it myzt soone cost 
me my life in this cumpanie. Thei have me suspecte, 
because dyvers of them comynd^ and I answerd as 
ferre as I durst ; allso because thei see that the Kings 
Grace sent me a lettyr. 

Syr, I beseke your Mastership let me know sum of 
your pleasur by my servant, whom I send especialli 
for the same cause ; and hereafter if itt fortune your 
Mastership to write agat caute^ for I see that thei loke 
in dyvers mennys lettyrs, and peraventur wold likewise 
in myne if I were not present. A good meanys to 
know the trowthe of suche things as is before writyn 
were to gyve in commandement to John Style secretli 
to write the trowthe of like things, yf he have not 
doone hitt or this tyme. 

Syr, I have bene syth my cummyng bothe with the 
Kyng of Navarre and with the Kyng of Castell to my 
grete coost and charge, beseking your Mastership to 
have me for recommendyd unto the Kyngs Grace, 
whan ye shall see the tyme ; and so doyng, his Grace 
shall have a faithfull servant of me, and your Master- 
ship a trew bedeman during my life. 

I beseke your Mastership excuse me to my Lord of 
Wynchester, that I write not unto hym at this tyme. 
Youre Mastership may comunycat with his Lordship 
asmooche of my lettyr as shall be your pleasur. We 
have had lettyrs after the premisses writyn from the 



01[IIGINAL LETTERS. 193 

Kjmg of Arragon which sheweth that the Kyng of 
Navarre hath fuDy offerd hymself to abyde suche 
bonds as the King of Arragon will demaunde. 

And he demaundeth to have all the townys and 
castell and full governdunce of Navarre tyll suche 
tyme as Gascoigne and Guyen beth conqueryd. Allso 
that suche lands and possessions as hath bene with« 
holden in tymys past from the Lord Mareshall of Na- 
varre, item from the Erie of Saincte Stephans and 
the Lord John Beaumont, be fully . restoryd. Item 
that for the assuraunce of the premisses the Prince of 
Navarre be dely vred unto the Kings grace of Arragon. 
Item that yf the Kyng of Navarre ayde or help the 
Frenshmen in doyng any displeasur against the Realme 
of Arragon, with his subgetts of Bieme, directe aut in- 
directe, sentiet, etjiitebitur se, itaJaciendOf incidisse in 
crimen Usee Mqjestatis. 

These bethe the Articles that the Kyng of Arragon 
demaundeth of the King of Navarre ; the which if he 
agre unto, we shall immediatli goo to Bayone ; yf noo, 
as soone as the Duke hath taken Allambure, Maya, 
and Saincte Jhoan au pie de la porte, which beth iij 
fortressis of Navarre upon the Frensh syde, then im- 
mediatli wee shall joyne. 

. These premisses moost be pondred by the Kinga 
Grace and his moost noble Cownsell. A grete parte 
of oure cownsell taketh this delyng impadentfi, but 

VOL. I. 8ER. 2. o 



194 ORTGIKAL LETTERS. 

what shall be expedient yt moost be determyned with 
yow. 

Syr, I beseke your Mastership remembre my pcs- 
tition before, yf ye love me, as my trust is. Jhon 
Style shewith me that he writeth meny things at this 
tyme very plainly and expedient to be knowen. Thus 
the blessed Trynyte preserve your Mastership. From 
Founterabie the v^h. of August. 

Your faithful! and assured to the 
uttermoost of his power 

WILLIAM KKY6HTE. 

To the right honorable M. 
Thomas Wolcy Almonere to the 
Kings Grace of Englond. 



LETTER LXII. 



Dr. WiUiam Knight to Thomas Wolsey the Kin^s 
Jlmoner. A. D. 1512. Further advices from 
Navarre. 

[m8. cotton, vesp. c. I. fol. 81. Orig.l 



Myne especiall good Mastre after my moost hertiest 
recommendacions, pleasith it your good Mastership to 
understand that the xxviij<*. of August yt was rea- 
sonyd in owre Cownsell who were moost expedient to 



OftlGINAT^ LETTERS. 195 

be sent unto the Kings gr^ce to' excuse oure retoyre 
into Ingkmd : Where my ILord Marquise and all the 
Lord&( mynded William Kyngstoon and me to go, but 
S'. William Sands and a few of his secte were in the 
eontrarie opynycnx of me ; and this was his reason ; he 
saide yt was not unknowen to them all that yoiir 
Mastership was the grownde of all this myschefe, ande 
that he was assuryd that I was in your favour ; allsa 
that this was the tyme that I went upon my promo- 
aosi ; wherefore if I went I shuld peraventur make 
sum reasons unto the Kings Grace by your advise, 
which myght gyve occasion to oiure ferther abode here. 
This reason notwithstanding, it was determynd bi the 
Lords that Kingstoon and I shuld doo the forsaide^ 
message; whereupon immediatli we had oure Instruc- 
tions delyvred and toke our ship at Saincte Se- 
bastian. Aftyr we continued oon the Seeys yj. daiyes 
in grete tempest, so that with grete and long tribula- 
cicm we recovred the saide Porte of Saincte Sebastian, 
and there we had knowlege that there were Lettynp 
cum owte of Inglond: wherefor we returned to my 
JjfxtA Marquise to know parte of the Kings pleasur, 
and of hym I receyvid a lettyr from the Kings Grace 
and another loving lettyr from your goodiMastership, 
bothe opynd. I herd allso the lettyr that the Kings 
Grace sent unto the Lord Marquise and all the Lords 
and Captains, which puttyth me in grete pensifiies 
whai I remembre the small regarde that dy vers made 

o2 



196 ORTGIXAL LETTERS. 

unto the saide lettyr. At the same tyme letters ciam 
from the King of Arragon that his Armye taried for 
ourys at Saincte Jhon Pie de la Porte, where of a 
suyrte thei be at this tyme. 

Upon the Kyngs letters and the King of Arragon 
oure Cownsell assembled at Renteria, where my Lord. 
Broke and his retynew lyeth ; where I requyred them 
all to regarde acording to thaire dewty the Kings com- 
maunedement Item th'^endenturs that thei had sealid 
unto the Kings Grace. Ov3rr this I laide suche Articles 
of the tretise^ before them as was expedient for the 
mater. Furthermore, as nere as I cowde, I laide dyyers 
inconvences and displeasurs that myght ensue .bi oure 
light departing. Whereupon, like a noble man, my 
Lord Howard said that in case he might have a meteli 
cumpanie with him he wolde enduyr this Wyntyr 
Warre, and gladlier he wolde dye for the honour of 
his Master, the Realme, and himself, than contrarie to 
the Kings commaundement, with rebuke and shame, 
fetume into Inglond. Whill this was reasonyd, oon 
departyd owte of the chambre and shewid.my Lord 
Broks retynew that my Lord Howard and I wold .have 
theni contynew in this Warre. Whereupon, withowte, 
the comynalte dyd withstond, thei were like to goo into 
Bjeme. Sgo that immediatli the People arose,, andi said 
that what soevyr he were that wolde contynew in oure 

opynyon, suyrli thei wold slee hym, and so was I thre. 

« 

» treaties. . . 



« OEIGINAL LETTERS. 197 

tyiid in dyvers placys. . The Answer of the Cpwnsell 
at that tyrae and the behavyr of the peple, my Lord 
Howard and S^ Mores Barkley which were both o( 
oonmyude can best shew at thair cunmiyng; Thowz 
meny things be as fer owte of order, and the Kings 
jGrrace as unlovingli oon^ sum partise served, as evyr 
vas so noble a Prince; yet S. in my S3nmple opynybn 
this tyme requyreth grete dissymylacion, which was 
nevyr moore necessarie ; for I promesse yow in my 
mynde here be meny light meen. Yt shall not nede that 
J write any more largeli, for here dyvers have begon 
to impute unto other the cause of this ungoodli de- 
parture and this Contre spekith grete shame thereof. 
:^ SyTf aftjrr the Cownsell at Renterie, William King- 
stoon and I returned unto the seeys and Ukewise, as 
we were before, bi torment of the seeys we were com- 
pelled to recovre a Havyn ; soo that now I have shewid 
my Lorde Marquise that I am not able to enduyr the 
seeys, and that I entend to tarye in the Kyng of Ar- 
ragons Courte tyll sommyr. The trouthe is I am lothe 
jto bring this message unto the Kings Grace ; I beseb^ 
God itt mai be my fortune to bring that mai be Qiore 
pleasaunt. And where oure departure and the absti* 
nenoe for this Wynter of Warre shall gyve grete com- 
modite to the Frendb King, to breke the lege betweene 
sum of the Kings confederation and h3nn, which unr 
dowztid shal be attemptid; considred allso that these 
Warres thus b^goon can not thus ende withowte Iossq 



■ on. 



t98 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

of honour and other proficte ; furtharin(»re remonbring 
that all Kitogs and noble men that shuld accomplishe 
thair grete entreprises, moost dayly be ascertaigned 
how other grete powers doyth detarme, bi which 
meanys the Kuigs Grace of Arragon, oon of the wiqrst 
and moost expert Princys this day lyving, hath ob* 
teigned dyvers grete Kyngdoms. Therefw I beseke 
your Mastership in whom lyyth all my confidence, yf 
it be thowht that I be mete to doo my Master any 
servyce, that I may have sum commaundement wher 
to occupie my self this Wynter to his hcHiour and 
pkasur, whethre it be here or any parte of Italye, car 
other place of Cristindome, to whom I shall doo iA 
faithfull and trew servyce as evyr dyd poure man to 
his Prince, and the best besides that I can. And ni 
case that I have any like commaundement yt moost 
please you to be soo good master unto me that I may 
have sum convenient thing of his Grace for mjoie ex- 
penses, for, as your Mastyrship knoweth, I have litle 
to ]y ve on, and that litle that I have, bi such occasion^ 
as I have> I spend and wast daily, as now of late vie^ 
tailes upon the seeys have coost me beyond xx nobks, 
and all lost bi reason of the salt watyr ; besides, in idl 
besynes, as ryding in poost or otherwaiys, I am allwaiys 
oon, and nevyr have had reoompence, nether yet desired 
any, nor hereaftyr wold if I were able to doo the Kings 
grace good servyce with that litle that I have. Syr ai 
the reverence of Grod lay nothing to any mannys ehar^ 
bi reason of my letters, or otherwaiys bi my meanjs^ 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 199 

for if ye shulde, I shulde be had suspecte ; for it is 
imagyned that I make your Mastership prevy to meny 
moo things than I doo. Ye shall know the trowthe 
of all that I write, and mych more, bothe of my Lord 
Howard, of Mr. Hatticlif and Richemount haraulde, 
which can shew yow of all the besynes of Navarre and 
of the towardnes of the Spagniards in owre entreprise, 
and with what besynes thei have passyd thaire Arti- 
liarie the grete mountaynys ; with other things d)rvers, 
which when thei be herd, I fere owre excuses will not 
be graciousli herd. Ovyr this the King of Artagon 
sejmg the obstinate mynde of our communyss requyred 
the Noble men to tarie, saijrng that the name of th'en- 
glishemen shuld be sufficient for our entreprise, for his 
Grace had men inowghe, and withoute he can as ac- 
cessorie, he might not medyll, for thentreprise was 
owrys. Butt we regardyd that as we dyd other things ; 
and dythins yt was my fortune to be oon of this Cown-- 
sell, which I have repentid a thousand tymys because 
of mennys willfull mynds, yet your Mastership per- 
cey vid at all tymys bi my Letters that oure conclusion 
had no liklihood of goodnes. But how evyr y t be, the 
KiAgs Grace moost be comfortid, for his Grace hath 
obteignyd the cheife parte of his purpose, which was 
the delyveraunce of the Chirch from the cruel perse- 
cution of the Frenshmen. AUso bi oure be3mg here 
the Kingdom of Navarre is assured for us, withoute 
which we cowde nevyr have prevailed in th'entreprise 



200 ORIGINAL LETTERS^ 

of Guyen ; nother thowz we had prevailid we cowde 
have contynued if the Navarres had bene oure enny- 
mise. Ovyr this his Grace hath obteigned the title of 
* The mooste Cristyn Kyng ;' and I assure your Mas- 
tership in my mynde this jomey hath gy vyn so grete 
light to cownsell the good Ordre of an Armye, that 
yt had not beene expedient, for twise the money that is 
iqpent, but that thei had beene here and returned with- 
oute meting of the puissaunce pf thair ennymise. My 
reason is this, owre ennymise beth men of long conty- 
nuance yn Warres, full of policie, and wiere prive to 
all owre dedys; and we clene contrarie. Besides this, 
we nevyr exercised oure self to kepe oure arrays, nor 
to other feete,^ in so myche that when oure Englishmen 
went into Fraunce thei wolde evyr be dyvydyd, that 
if a small power of the Frenshmen had cimi on them 
thei had bene marrid. I say not this on myne owen 
opynion, thowh it be necessarie, butt I know bi expe- 
rience sith I cam hethre, that Englishmen hath siiffired 
rebuke bi like folye. Besides this, in the Kyngs pro- 
visions of Victails, His Grace was untrewli servyd. 
Item, in th^Ordonances I herd S"*. Henr. Willugby 
say, that, among eight thousand bowys thei fynde not 
two hundred sufficient ; likewise in othre things ; which 
all may be amendyd, or we be put in daunger of oure 
ennymise bi the misorder of the same. S3np how evyr 
this mater passyth, at the reverence of God, help that 

• feftt. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS* 201 

all may be fprgotyn for this tyme, for if any reproche 
shuld be laide to any oon man, he shall putt hit of to 
sum othre, and so to meny which might engendre be- 
synes that at this tyme is not expedient. Here I 
have sent your Mastership a lettyr that Edward Hat- 
ticlif sent me, wherebi ye mai perceyve sumwhat, and 
more ye shall know of hjnoa at his cummyng. And S^. 
for the syngler good faithe and love that I ow, asmoche 
to your Mastership as to any man lyving, foresee and 
remembre all maters ; for suyrU there hath been of the 
grete men of Inglond that have saide that the begyn- 
njmg of this Warre cam of your Mastreship, unknow- 
ing to them ; and that jrf the saide warre had not good 
and acceptable ende, that yt wolde be laide unto your 
charge. Syr pardon me in that that I am playne, my 
trew hert and mynde byndeth me thus to doo; for 
rather I shall forsake the Realme during my life, than 
*I wolde see your Mastyrship sufire displeasur for like 
cause. 

Sjrr, I beseke your Mastirship that I may have 
knowlege of your pleasur touching myne abode here, 
or other where to remove, for I will not determe but 
upon an answer of the Kings pleasur ; and withowte 
I have hitt at the retume of this Ship, which ys payde 
for her retoure, I can not say when I shuld here from 
your Mastership. The bringer hereof, which is son 
in law to Jhon Style, retumeth againe yf any com- 
maundement cum. Howbeyt I think tV Annie will 



9M ORIGINAL L£TTEE8. 

departe long or his cummyng, for thei beth proryded 
of Shippes, and the bisquett is ahnoost bake, so thut 
withia viij. or x. daiys I thinke thei wilbe redy to 
ship yf the wynde serve. I mervaile that this tyme 
of the yere thei will aventure the Kings tresore upon 
the seeys for dyrers inconvences; and I have herd 
them say, that, if thei see any commodite thei will 
land in Britaigne. Sumtymc thei say thei will kepe 
the course that they made hetherwarde, and so I 
dowzt whereupon thei will remayne. Methynketh it 
were well docme that Syr Edward Howard met with 
them, for the more sahregard of the Sings tresore. 
The Flete of Fraunce is grete ; there went in August^ 
owte of the Havyn of Breste, xlvij. Shippis to the 
borders of the west Contre of Inglond ; and xv. in ta 
Irelond. Item xv. into Galice and x. rema3myd to 
kepe the coost of Britaigne. The xlvij. be returttyd 
to Brest, the rest be abrode ; and sythins there beth 
cum vj. galeys from Italie, which laye abought Galic^ 
wele vj. weks, and were nevyr countred withaU; thei 
have brought, as yt is sfdde, ^ gay artiUiarie owte of 
Italie as there was none in all Fraunce. A iinyit 
of th'ordre of Saincte John is thaire Capitayne the 
Spaynysh Flete shewid themself att Foutttrabye owre 
lady day thassumpcion, and aftjrrward departyd, so 
that nevyr sythyns vte herd of them. The comyn 
opynyori is that thei be adjoyhed tdth th'^englii^ Fleete. 
Sp I fere me that I &iA tedious with this long 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 9M 

writing, but I trust my good mynde shall cause to be 
acceptable that othrewaiys myght be tediouse. And 
soo I beseeke your Mastership to contj^ew itty good 
Master, thus Jfas preserve yow. From the towne of 
Saincte Sebastians the iiij. of Octobl*e. 

By the hand of your Assure 
bedeman, 

WILLIAJt XITYGHT. 



LETTER LXIII. 



Doctor Knight to King Henry the Vlltth. upon the 
King of ArragorCs truce with France; cmd pro* 
posing the restoration of the Kmg of Navoflrre. 
A. D. 1513. 

[ms. cottok. vesp. c. I. fol. 86. Orig.] 



Pleasyth yt your Highness to understond, that 
the King of Arragon contynueth in his purpose to 
observe the treuys, that beth late taken betwene the 
Frensh King and hym, as straightli as yf thei had 
bene made upon good grownde and reasyn. And 
where yt was soo that newys were broughte imto this 
Courte, upon Sayncte Marks day, that your Gracis 
royall Armye by the seeys had discomfetied the 
Frensh flete ; y t append bothe by thair countenances 



204 OKIGIXAL LETTERS. 

hone that the saide victorye contentyd not thayr 
mynde ; and by thair other demenure, for thei dyd 
asmoche as lay in them to contrarie and destroye the 
iame of the sayde newys and victorie, as Don Fetro 
Belis de Guyrarra I dowht not will shew right shortii 
unto your Grace. Ovyr thys, aftyr the fame of the 
saide newys where we laboured instauntly unto his 
Grace for Domyngo de Losa, whose movables betb 
excheted for selling of a Carrack unto your Highnes, 
contrarie unto the Statutes of this Contre, We fownde 
his Grace so sore moved with the selling of the said 
Carrack, that yt apperid that he was grevid that his 
shippes shuld be parte of th'^occasioh of the saide vic- 
tcxie, for before the forsaide tydings were broughte, 
his Grace gave unto us allwaiys comfortable aunswere 
in the saide cause, and promised to put a remedie in 
hytt, soo that yowr Highnes and your moost honorable 
Cownsayle may forsee and put remedy yf the King of 
Arragon wolde entende aftyr his cautelous manier the 
revoking of suche his Shippes as beth in your Gracis 
wagis. The forsaid newis were so joyfuU unto us 
your Gracis subgetts here, that we desired of the King 
of Arragon to know what certaynte he liad ther^f, 
which aunswerd that he did know nothing thereof; 
but, ahyr thre daiys, when the same dyd more largeli 
encrease, he shewid unto us that he was enformed owte 
of Fraunce that the Frensh King gave in expresse 
commaundement to the Capitains of his Navye, that, 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 205 

in case thei were not able to have the ovyrhand of 
th'englishmen, that thei shulde rather fyer thau*e owen 
shippes then suffre them to be taken; wherein his 
meanyng was, bi all that I cowde perceyve, that if 
there were any shippes distroied of the Frensh Flete, 
that yt was doone by themself, because of the com- 
maundement of thair King, and not by your Graces 
royall Armye. And for because we wolde understand 
yf by any new occurrents the King wolde varye from 
the treuys, we therefore, meny tymys and oftyn, have 
beseched his Highnes to remembre the greate love 
that your Grace hath borne unto hym, and what 
charges, right nere importable for your royall Reame, 
hath ensued, withowte profite or honour, by folowing 
of his cownsell; but all this notwithstanding, his 
Grace is fynally determyd straightli to observe the 
saide treuys ; nevertheles he aunswerid us, at oon tjnoae, 
that he wolde doo all that he was bownde to doo ; but 
he spake hit in suche maniere and countenance, that 
yt semyd that he thowht hym not yn any maner meane 
bownde unto your Grace. At oon othre season, he 
aunswerid that he might send his Armye in Italye 
into Burgoigne ; and, saving the treuys, help your 
Grace by that parties: but this woordis beth.aftyr 
th'olde manier, for yf he were so entendyd, yet the 
yere wolde be ovyrgone or an Armye myht passe so 
ferre Contres. He hath saide also that he might make 
warre in Bierne, but suyrli and yt like your Highnes, 



906 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

under your Grraces ocHrectioPf that shuld not be profit- 
pUe toft your Hygbnes; for Bieme extendith under 
the mountaynys of Navarre aUmoost from Bayone to 
Arragon ; and by suche he wolde put your Grace be- 
tw^ne bym and hia ennemise. And thus bendes that 
be hath evydently brought your Grace into mervelous 
g^reate besynes, and hath docme extremely hetherto, 
cmtrarieng all bondes that myht be made betwene 
Criften Princes, yet he desysteth not from his ac- 
ooustomyd cauteUSf but suyrle conceyvyth in his 
mjrnde greattyr myschiefe, yf yt be, as some saiyth, 
that dare spdiLe prively th'opjmyon of divers that fa- 
Toreth thair naturell Prince, ys, that it shuld be the 
greattist joye unto the King of Arragon that evyr 
fortunyd unto hym, if the Pnnce of Castell were dis- 
ceased, for soo he might be suyr to contynew Grover* 
nour of Castell in manier during his life. At the 
cummyng of King Philip into this contre, the King of 
Arragon was as yt was thought uncourtesly entreatid, 
because he was commaundyd to avoyde this Reame 
within the space of xx. daiys ; and yt is thought that 
yt was not docHie withowte thadvise of your Graces 
dere fadre ol most noble memorye. And whether he 
feryth that the Prince waxith to ripe in age, or that 
he remembreth those olde injuries, or that he wolde 
discuyr^ the manage betwene the Prince and my Lady 
Marye, I know not ; but your Grace may suyrlie 

• duwrer. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 207 

ymagine that he is not wele disposed. The Yonger 
Soon dT King Philip is but xi. yens olde ; borne in this 
Ccmtre ; and in mouch^ greate manier resembleth the 
King of Arragon. 

And where your Grace hath lateli receyvyd greate 
injurie und^ the dissymyld cownsell of the King of 
Arragon, which exhorted your Grace to these greate 
and dowtfull Warris, which dyd hit for none othre 
consideration but as your Grace now doyth eyydently 
see ; therefor I shall beseke your Highnes moost hum<» 
bly to pardone me of that that I write of trew mynde 
4nd servyce that I am bownde to ow unto your Grace, 
syth the King of Arragon is determyd allwaiys in that 
that shal be agaynst good conscience.. Yf th^Em-.^ 
perour and your Highnes determe and conclude that 
yt were expedient that the l^te King of Navarre be 
restored unto his Kingdom fjL suche tyme as yt shal 
be thought expedient by your Graces, a3 he that hath 
not offendyd othre^ of your Graces, and as he that 
is wrongfully depryved of his Kingdoome, I am of 
thopynyon that th^Emperour wolde be in this begyn^ 
nyng right easeli enducyd to graunte thereunto ; and,. 
so moche the rathre, because the King of Arragon ad* 
joyneth Navarre with his Arrggon; and not among 
the multitude of titles that belongeth to Castell. Thus 
your Grace shulde deserve of God to restore to his 
right hym, that were wrongfuUi deprived. Ovyr this 
I thynk the saide late King wolde be glad to com- 

• Mther. 



206 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

pounde with your Grace to pay as he mighte a greate 
parte of the charges that your Grace made in these 
parties. AUso yt were a greate meane to the geting 
of Guyeen, in which the saide late King myht doo 
mouche by oon meane or othre ; as, for to be restored 
there shulde be no thing requyred bi hym possible to 
be doone, that he wolde not gladli enforce hymself to 
doo. And yf the King of Arragon shuld be requyred 
to returne to Jiis Kingdoome of Arragon he shuld not 
be the best neyghbour that your Grace myht have in 
Navarre, for he myght ovyrloke Guyeen at his plea- 
sure. Furthermore yt shuld be a notable monition for 
evyr to all Cjristyn Princes to kepe and observe thair 
lawfull promesses, or to thynk that thei mygt shortU 
lose, that bi suche unlawfull meanys they dyd gete ; as 
by this example, jf yt cum to passe. Sq3nrly, in my 
poure mynde, yt shulda^e great avauntage unto your 
Grace for the preservation of Guyeen that suche a S^g 
were in Navarre, that )rf he wolde not be good for your 
Grace upon pure love, yet that he might fere to rebell 
for sum other consideration, as the late King of Navarre 
by reason of suche Lands as he shall holde of your 
Grace in Guyeen shulde not dare but to be loyal, which 
as I have herd say usyth these termyse oftjmtymys : 
^ The Kings Grace of Inglond hath caused me to lose 
my Reame, and I trust his Grace shall help to restore 
me agayne."* 

The vij^*^. of May, and it please your Highnes, 
iydings cam from Italye that the Venetians had entred 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 209 

lege a with the Frensh King so that thei entende to 
dyvyde Lumbardie betwene them in this maner, 
that the Venetians shall have all the land that they 
wer wont to hold in that parties exeepte Cremona, 
by reason whereof the King of Arragon hath shewed 
unto us that he will send ovyr immediatli moo men of 
warre; and sum saiyth, that he will send ovyr the 
greate Capitaine. The King of Arragon seyth that bi 
reason of this lege^ th'Emperour, of all liklihood, will 
fully entre with your Grace, and that waieth greatli 
in his stomak; he beseketh God that th^Emperour 
may employe suche tresour as he hath receyvyd of 
your Grace in suche manier as yt may be profittable 
for your Highnes. I can not perceyre but that he 
thynketh contrarie ; and undowted he hath doone his 
best, as your Grace doyth evidentli see, to have lefte 
your Highnes soole and alone in all these Warris ; as 
by takyng of the treuys, by covering of the same, and 
lettyng of our lettres that your Grace were not ad- 
vertised in tyme, allso by that that he saieth that the 
saide treuys was made by thadvice of th'Empe^-our, 
which of all liklihood will now appere othrewaiys. But 
undowtid, as your Grace entendy th not but the re- 
coverye of your evydent ryghte, so Allmighti Jhu 
shall send yt unto your Highnes, with the moost ho- 
nour that evyr cam to Cristen King, for the which as 
my dewty ys I daili pray, and shall doo during my 

• league. . 
VOL. I. SER. 2. P 



210 OBIGINAL LETTERS. 

life. Thus the Holy Groost send your moost noble 
Grace comforte. At Valledolide in Castell, this xy*. 
of Maye. 

Your moost humble subgeet 
and chapelain, 

WILLIAM KNYGHTE. 



LETTER LXIV. 

Sir Robert WingJUld to King Henry the Vlllfh. re* 
porting the Victory of Novara, 

[mS. COTTOy. OALBA. B. 111. f(d. 83. OrigJ\ 

*^* Ouicdardmi, speaking of the VicUny of Novara, uses these me* 
morable words. ^^ RitomaroDO i vindtori quasi trionfanti, U di mede- 
simo a Novara, et cod tanta fama per tuttol mondo, che mcdti havevano 
ardiie, considerato la magnaDimita del proposito, il dispregio evidentis* 
simo della morte, la ficrezza del combattere, et la felicita del successo, . 
preporre questo fatto quasi a tette le cose memorabili, che si leggono de 
Romani et de GrecL" Hist. dTtaL edit 1669. p. 555. See idso Paulas 
Jovius, and Planta^s Hist, of the Helvetic Confederacy, voL iL p. 98. 



Pleasyth youre Grace to undyrstonde that the 
xii* of this present moneth I wroot unto you my last 
lettyrs from the town of Estlynge, conte3mi3mge such 
matter as I was ware of at that tyme ; and I trust it 
is weell in youre Graces consideration, that, whilst 1 
have no postis at my comaund, thoow I do my dwte in 
wrytynge & spende monney to send my lettyrs to th* 
Emperours postmastir, yet there maye be oother delaye 
in the aprochinge of my sayde lettjrrs to youre gratious 
handys thamie I woolde. And also that now in jour- 



OUtGIl^AL LKTTEttS. 211 

neyinge I am seldom in the place where newes ary ve, 
my knowlege is in manner a daye aflftyr the feejrre, to 
advertyse youre Grace with the fytste, which incon^ 
tennente must be suflyrde paciently duryng the while 
that th^Emperour isjoumeyinge. Nevyrthelesse because 
I knowe weell that the ij'^^ or iij^e knowlege of good 
tydj/ngges be nott so welccMn as the fyrste, yet me 
aemyth the confyrmation of good tydjnigis ought to 
be fi^t welcome^ and theref(H*e thoow these shall 
com late, 3dt I had lever youre Highnes blamyd the 
premysis thanne ony lachessness in me ; and also I am 
fieure that M. Loys Marreton, which hath comodite to 
knowe newes, faylyth nott to my Lady of Savoye, & 
from thence to youre Grace I doubt nott but youre 
dylygent servaunt Thomas Spynelly maakyth » • • 
postis to rynne. 

Syr this momynge there be newes comyn to this 
town that the dwke of Meleyn with the Swyssers have 
surprysyd the Frenche arme,^ & clerly slayn all the 
Almeyns, & takyn the lordys of Tremoyle and Jhaa 
Jamys of . \ . . with many oothir Frysonenu 

Sagramour the viscounte, which was entyrde in to the 
City of Meleyn, was there slayne with many othir of his 
bende aftyr the forsayde ovyrthroowe of the Frensche 
arme was knowin. I trust that or it be long, there 
shalbe some good tydynges of some acte done by th' 
Emperours arme a and the Vice Roy agaynst the Vene* 

• anny. 

p2 



213 ORIGINAL LETTERS^ 

tiens; & soone afilyr that th'Emperours viij.M. Swysar* 
which hath ben now sumwhat flesschid at this entyr- 
pryse, shall passe the mountyns in to Dolphynye, 
where th'*Emperour hath apoyntyd a thowsand horsys 
to mete w* theym, and soo it is to be trusty d veryly 
(the premyssis weell concidyrd) that youre Grace shall 
now have all the avauntagis and moo thanne aperyd 
the last yere ; thoow it was thought by many experte 
folkes that the sayde avauntagis had ben harde to have 
be recovyrid. But such is God, and bettyr; which 
only is the heed of youre entyrprise, and hath gevyn 
the nobyll courage and hardynes to electe of youre sylf * 
the coste, travell, & joupperde to atteyne the honnor 
and glory that must nedys folow of same, and in my 
conseyte withoughte fayle the parfecte recovere and 
ateynynge the Crowne of Fraunce w^ the grettest hon- 
nor & treumphe that evyr was harde or sene. God 
and saynt George to borows. whom I beseche to preserve 
youre Grace in prosperous helthe, w^ longe lyffe, to his 
pleasyr. Wretyn at the town of Bruxsellis in Swabe* 
the xiijl** daye of June 151 B, by the.hande of youre 
humbyll and most boundyn serv^nte. 

WYNGFELD, K. 

Syre w* these I sende unto youre grace the Copie of 
a letter the Swyssers wroott unto me. 

* Brucksal, in Swabia. 



OllIGINAL LETTERS. 213 



LETTER LXV. 

Sir Edward Howard^ Lord Admiral, to King Henri/ 
the Eighth, upon the State of the King*s Fleet* 
XJ9. 1513. 

[ms. cotton, calig. d. yi. foL 101. Orig.'\ 

*^* It is unfortunate that this curious document is so much mutilated 
as to be, in some parts, quite unintelligible. - 

Sir Edward Howard, the writer of it, fell a victim to his temerity in 
the harbour of Brest, in the very year in which he penned this Letter. 

The Regent, the largest vessel in the English Navy, commanded by 
Sir Thomas Enyvet, had been burnt in 1612, in a contest with the 
French fleet under Primauget, when Sir Thomas Knyvet lost his life. 
Sir Edward Howard made a vow to revenge the de;ath of his friend, and 
fell himself in trying to accomplish }t. 



Plesith your Grace to .understand that the Sater- 
day in the raornyng after your Grace departyd from 
youf Fleet, we went downe to have goon in to the deps, 
but or we cam at the danger off the entryngg in to the 
depps callyd Gyrdelar hed, the wynd feeryd, ^ owt of 
the west north west in to the est north est, wherfor we 
were fayn to goo to an ancre for that day. And the 
same momyng that I cam toward the depps I com. 
mandeda . .^ off the smal shippes as wold goo the next 
way to the Downes, to get them over the landes end, 
and .... went that way both the newBarkes,theLesard, 
the Swalow, and an viij moor off the smal Shippes, 



» veered. »■ all ? 



Sn4 ORIGINAL LETTEBS. 

The resydew kept with us thorow the depps : and, Sir, 
al Pahn Sondey we steryd* not, for the wynd was 
heer with us at est by sowth, whiche was the rygth 
curse *> that we shuld draw to d . . . On mondey the 
wynd cam west sowth west, which was very good for 
us, and . . we slept it not, for at the begynyng off the 

flood we wer al under sayle. And 

first settyng off 

slakyng wher the Kateryn Fortaleza saylyd very weel 

Al suche shippes as maad sayl even 

to gydder with her onys a quarter off a 

iij myl saylyng your good shif^ the Flowr 

I trow off al shipps that ever saylyd rekenyng . . . 
. . every shipp, and cam within iij speer length off 
the Kateryn, &c spak to John Fie . . . Peter Semap, & 
to Freman master, to beer record that the Mary Roose 
dyd feche her at the to . . . best way and the Marys 
wurst way, and so. Sir, within a myle saylyng left her 
an fly t . . at the steme ; and she al the other saving 
a V or syx smal shipps whiche cut o . . the forland 
the next wey. And Sir then our curs^ chanched<^ 
and went hard uppon a bowlyn . . the forland wher 
the Mary Roose, your noble shipp, fet the Mary 
George, the Kateryn prove a back th . • . lord 
Ferys hyryd, the Leonard off Dertmowth, and som 
off them weer iiij long myle afor m ... * or ever I 

• stirred. >> course. « changed!. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 215 

cam to the forland. The next shipp that was to 
me, but the Sovereyn, was iij myl behynd; but the 
Sovereyn past not half a myle behynd me. Sir 
she is the noblest shipp off sayle . . . gret shipp at 
this howr that I trow be in cristendom. A shipp of C 
tone wyl not be spner at her . . abowt then she . When 
I came to an ancre I called for pen & ynk to mark 
what shippes ... to me for thei cam al by me to an 
ancre. The first next the Mary Roose was the Sove- 
re3m, then the Nycholas, then the Leonard of Dert- 
mowth, then the Mary Georg, then the Herry of 
Hampton, then the Anne, then the Nycholas Montrygo 
called the Sanche . . . . de Garra, then the Eatery n, then 
the Mary ... Sir one after another. Ther was a 
fowle.tayle bet wen the Mary Roose, and the aftermest 
was the Marya de Loretta. And the Crist was one off 
the wurst this day ; she may beer . . . sayl, no mor may 
the Kateryn ; I trust we shal remedy her wel inowgh 
that she shal felaw with the best. Sir she is over laden 
with ordenauns, besyd her hevy toppes, which ar big 
idowgh for a shipp of viii or ixC. » Sir we had not ben 
at an ancre at the forland but the wynd ... upp at 
the norther burd so stryvably that we cowd ryd nO 
lenger ther withowt gret danger, .... we weyd to get 
us in to the Downes thorowgh the Gowlls. And when 
we wer in the myddes, betwen the brakks & the Gk)d- 
wyn, the wynd ferd ^ owt agayn to the west sowth west, 

• eight or nine hundred ton. ^ veered. 



S16 ORIGINAL L£TT£B9« 

wher we wer feyn to mak with your gret Sluppes iij or 

iiij tornys, and Grod knoweth row chanel at 

low water. As we took it, the Sovereyn and the Mary 
stayd a quarter off a myle off the Gkxxiwyn sandes and 

the Marya de Loretta offerd her off it and 

was fayne to goo abowt ¥dth a for wynd bak ..... 

where that she Ijrth I . . . . 

. . . fechen the Downes with many tornys, and thankyd 

be God Downes at an ancre in safte. 

And I pray God that he send our vital sh . ...... 

for in cristendom owt of one reahne was never seen such 

a fleet a with our Barkettes com to us that the 

first fair wynd that cometh we mygth be doying . . . 
.... saw never poor men so in corraag to be doyng as 

your men bee. I besech your Grace myscon- 

tent that I mak so long a matter in writyng to yow, 
and off no mater off substance, but that ye commanded 
me to send your Grace word how every Shipp dyd sail; 
and this same was the best tryall that cowd be, for we 
went both slakyng & by a bowlyn, and a cool a cors & 
a bouet in such wyse that few shippes lakkyd no water 
in, over the lee wales; Sir the shippes off Bristow be 
her with me.^ I assur yowr Grace gorgeas shippes for 
ther burdon, one that Antony Poynges is in uppon a 
ix^-^. and another of viij^x, and another of vij^.a I had 
not spoke when I wrot this letter. I understand thei 
lak vital ; I have writton to Master Amener^ for itt and 

* Nine« eight, and seven score. b Master Almoncr« that is Wobey. 



OKIGIXAL LETTERS. 217 

for the maryneres. Your Grace must command Mas- 
ter Amner to mak a warrant to Ble ... to deliver to 
Hopton CC. hemes a for them, which shall send it down 
in the vytall .... no mor news to writ to your Grace 
as att this tyme, but that the next fair wedd .... 
lye heer in the Downes, I wyl send furth your ij new- 

barkes the Lysard barges the Baptyst off 

Herwyche, to play up and down betwen Dover & Ca- 

leys purchas wyl fal in ther handes that we 

mygth have some news therby owt off . . . Sir for 
Godes sak hast your Consell to send us down our vitall, 
for iff we shall lye long the comon voys wyl roon that 
we lye & kep in the Downes, & doo no good but spend 
mony & vitall. And ao the noys wyl ron to our shames, 
thow your Grace know well that we can no otherwys 
doo withowt we shuld leve our vitall & felaws behynd 
us. I remit al thys to the order off your moost noble 
Grace, whom I pray God preserve from al adversite, 
and send yow as much victory off your enemys as ever 
had eny off your noble Ancetry. Writton in the 
Mary Roose by your moost bownden subject & your 
poor Admerall. 

EDWARD HOWARD. 

To the Kynges noble Grace from 
the Admerall. 

»■ qu. harness 



5tI8 OSIGIKAL LETTERS. 

Thk Rcador will not be displeaaed to hare thxee Papers inCieduced 
haie at appencUget to the present Letter, whidi afford a complete View 
of the State and Condition of Henry the Eighth's Navy in the 17*^ and 
18^. yean of his reign. 

They are preserved among the Rolls and Charters which formerly be- 
longed to his own Library, marked 14 B. xxiL xxiii xxiv. 

1. 

'^ Here aftur ensuethe the Names of all the Kings Schipps, aswell 
that rydethe within the Portte and Haven of Portsmeth as thoo that 
vydethe within the Ryvere of Themmys, the xxij*i>. ^aye of Octobre in the 
xTij(^. yeer of owre moste drade Soveren Lorde Kinge Henry the viij*>'. 

The Oabryell Rotall, of the tonnege of DCC. tonnes ; and of 
the age of zvj. yens. 

The Marte Rosse, of the tonnege of vC. tonne ; ande of the age 
of xiiij. yeres. 

The PsTum Pojcqabvet, of Ae teonege of CCCxL tonnes ; and of 
the age of xiiij. yeres. 

The JoHK Baptute, of the tonnege of iiij.C. tonnes ; and of age 
xiij. yeres. 

The Orette Barke, of tonnege CC. tonnes ; and of age xij. yere. 

The Lesser Barke, of the tonnege of t)lx. tonnes ; and of age xij. 
yere. 

The Mart James, of tonnege CClx. tonne; and of age xvj. yere. 

The Mart Oeoroe, of tonnege CCxl. tonnes ; and of age xv. yeres. 

The Mart and Johne of the tonnege of ij.C. tonne ; and of age 
iiij. yeres. 

The Primerose, of Ae tonnege of Clx. tonne ; and of age ij. yeiew 

The Minion, off the tonnege of Clxxx. tonne ; and all newe. 

The Maudelen of Depforde, of the tonnege of Cxx. tonne; and 
.off the age of iij. yeres. 

The Katerne Barke, of the tonneg of C. tonne ; and of age iii. 
yeres. 

The Mart Impereall, of tonnege Cxx. ; and of age too' yere. 

'the Barke of Bullen,* of the tonnege of Ixxx. tonne; and of the 
age of xlilj. yeres. 

The Trinite Henrte, of the age of vj. yeres; and of tonnege 
iiij.". tonne. , 

The Barke of Murlesse,^ of tonnege of Ix. tonne; and newe 
inade. 

The Swepstake, of the tonnege of Ixv. tonne ; and iij. yere olde. 

The SwALOWE, of the tonnege offlx. tonne; and newe made. 

The Ortfftn, of tonnege off Ixxx. tonne ; and of age xiiij. yeres. 

The Orett Sabra, of the tonnege of fyftye tonnes ; and iij. yere d^ 
• Bologne, b Morlaix. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. S19 

The LEssEftE Sabra, of the tonnege of xl. tonne ; and of age iij. 
yeres. 

The John of Grenewtche, of the tonnege of L tonne ; and of xij. 
yere olde. 

The FiussE * taken by Thomas Sperte, of the tonn^ of -fiuree score 
tonne ; and of age xv. yeres. 

The HuLKE of the tonn^ o£ Clx. tonnes ; and of age iij. yere. 

The Maay Gylfobde, of the tonnege- of Clx. tonne ; and of age 
oon yere," 

2. 

'' An Abstracte of the Dally Chaj^ies for the Kyngs Shipps yet re- 
xuajrnyng the xvj. day of November in the xviij. yere of his Reigne. 

T?te HEVttv ) ^^ wagesof viij. maryners her kepers, every moneth 

G^SACE A DiEU f ^^*^ ^^ vitailles iiij". vj». viij**. that is in the yere 

* j accompting xiij. monethes in the yere hj^. six*. viij<*. 



T?ie Mart 1 ^^ wages and vitaiUea of viij.niar3rners her kepers^ 
Roar: {-every fiHooeth iiij^. xtj'. viij<*. that is in a like yere 

J Ix". iiij«. vaj<». 

Item more for vj. cables that she must consmne 
every yere, by est3rmacion xUj^. 

«». ^ ^ _, , 1 Item for wages and vitailles of x. maryners her 

The Gabriell i , .u i d x i i. 

P/^TATT Vkepers, every moneth v". xiij. luj". in a lyke yere 

J Ixxuj". XUJ». lUj". 

Item for viij. cables that she must consume every 

yere by estymadon iiij**.". 

The Peter \ For wages and vitalles of i^. maryners kepers^eveiy 
PoHEGARKARD* J moneth iij". xij. That is in a lyke yere xlyj". xvj'. 

Item more for vj. cabulls • that she must consume 
every yere by es^rmadon xiij". 

The Great ) ^^ wages and vitailles of iiij . maryners her kepers, 
■D V every monethe xlvj". viij**. That is in a lyke yere 

J xxx". vj*. viij"*. 

Item more for vj. cabulls that she must consume 
yerely by estimacion xxx^U 

Th£ i^flflE ll ^^' wages and vitailes of iij. maryners her 'kepers, 
H V every moneth xxxvj*. viij<*. That is in a lyke ytxp 

■■'ARK. I •••11 •■ •••J 

J xxiij". xyj». vuj«. 

Item more for iij. cabulls that she must contumf 
every yere by estymadon xx". 



a 



Prijje. 



990 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 



The OBEAT 

Oallet. 

Th€ Mart 
George. 






For wages and yitailks of oon mttiynct her keper, 
every moneth x«. iiij«>. That is in a lyke yere vj". 
xmj*. mj''. 

For wages and vitailles of oon maryner her keper, 
every moneth x«. iiij**. That is in a lyke yere vj". 
xluj*. iiijd. 

Item more for ij. cabulls that she must yerdy 



consume x' 



». 



Oalet. 



Th€ Swepe- 

STAK. 



Th^ K » 1 For wages and vitailles o£ oon mariner her keper, 

^^__ [-every moneth x«. iiij"*. That is in a like yere vj". 

J xiiij". iiij**. 

Item for ij. cabulls that she must consume yerely 
by estimacion vj". xiiij". iiij**. 

I For wages and vitailles of oon maryner her keper, 
V every moneth x'. iiij**. That is in a lyke yere vj". 
} xmj«. mj**. 

Item more for ij. cabulls that she must consume 
by estymadon vj". xiiij". iiij^. 

\ For wages and vitailes of oon mariner her keper. 
The Swalowe. > every monethe x«. iiij**. That ys in a lyke yere vj". 
) xmj». mj°. 

Item more for ij. cabulls that she must consume 
yerely by estymacion vj". 

Sum of wages and vitailles every moneth xxv". vj''. That is in the 
yeie of xiij. monethes CCClxxv". vj«. vj«*. And of the Cabulls every 
yere by estymacion CCxliij". vj». viij"*. 

Sum total v«.lxviij". xiij*. ij**. 

And more othir twoo Ships called the Mtneon * and the BIart 
OiLDEFORD be not yet comen from Burdeux, wherfore the charges in 
kepyng of theym is not here put in. 

Also more for mayntenyng of the great Ships Dock at Portesmouth, 
and calkyng of alle <he said Ships, 3rt cannot be nerly extemed.*' . 

3. 

'' Hereafter insuyth certeyn Articles wherein is conteynyd aswell the 
state, maner, and what case the Kjmg our most Sovereyn Lords Shypps 
be nowe, in as of and for the costs and charges that our seyd Sovereyn 
Lorde sustcjmyth and yerly ys atte for them. 



Miguon. 



OBIGIKAL LETTERS^ 



221 



'* The Harky grace de Dewe rydyth at Norflete 
wher as she spendyth yerly ij.C". in wagys and vyttels ; 
and more then ij.C". and above in cabulles, cabulletts, 
and haulsers, oon yere with an other. And as we thynke 
the myght be a dokk at Eryth made for hp for vj.C*'. 
wherin she myght be brought and kepte nye a flote both 
a full See and lowe water, and at her ease and more suer 
then where she ys : and oons within thys v. yere there 
must a Dok be made for h3n: to calke and serche h3n: under 
water, and then shall the sayd Dok cost as muche in maner 
as yt shall doo nowe; and the charges afibreseyd not 
mynyshyd ; whyche wylbe in v. yere ij. thowsand pound 
besyde the adventur of foule wether and the sse . . . 

" The Gabryell ryall, the Kateryk Fortune, ^ 
the John Bapt yst, the Barbera, the Mary Gloria, 
ihe Mary John, the Mary George, and the new 
Barke, they spende yerly in wages and vytteU a Cxxxvj'^ 
x^. and they spende in cabuls, cabullets, and haulsers, at 
the lest as muche more ; whyche Shypps ar good for mer- 
chandyse to goo into Spayne, Levant, Bordeowse, Ysland, 
and Flaunders, yi they myght be sett a warke, and yf not 
our seyd Sovereyn Lorde shall within fewe yerys loose his 
seyd Shypps and charges afibreseyd, except they be new 
kalkyd and trymmyd ....'. 

" The Greats Galey, the Mary Roose, tlie Peter 
PouNGARNETT, the Great Barke, tJie Lesse Barke, 
and the ij. Robarges'^ whych vij. Sh3rpp3 spende xxxix*'. 
whyche Shjrpps be ^ood for the werrys, or els to be kept 
for our Sovereyn Lordes pleasure, and yett they must be 
kalkyd, ther overlopys, summer castels, and dekks, shortdy 
aflter Marche 

" Whyche Shypps byfore that they were brought in to 
the Dok where diey be nowe, stode the Kyngs Grace in 
charge of vij.C. marke, within a lyttyl more or lesse, every 
yere, 

" The Sovereyn, the Greate Nycholas, the 
Mary Jamys, and the Harry of Hampton, all they 
must have sin newe makyng or they do the Kyngs Grace 
ony servyce ; whyche Sh3rpps spende noo thyng but them 
selff." 

* Row barges. 



•' iiij.C". 



ij.Clxxiij". 



X2uix"» 



SM ORIGINAL LBTTSRft. 

The Royal Mfl&oMript in the Muieiim, 14 B» xxvni. pfeaelnres the 
duuges of the Khig*s Navy for a month, for thhty-aix ShipB> then al 
Portsmouth, m the 31tt Hen. VIII. amounting to 142&L 0#. lOd. The 
number of Seanm was 1613. Each ship had a certain number of dead 
shares allowed, according to its complement, Tarjring ftom six to twenty- 
one in difierent ships, at five and six shillings a share. 



LETTER LXVI. 

Sir WiUiam FUzztnRiam to dxrdinal Wols&f : a naval 

despatch. 

[ttS. COTTOK. VSSPASIAV F. XIII. foL l37 b. OH^.] 

*«* There ia nothing in this Letter to fix its date with ^ledsion \ 
though it is probable that it was written in 1522, when Sir Wifiiam 
Fitzwilliam, being readied from his embassy in France, was commanded 
to sea, with a strong fleet, to secure the English merchants.* 

This able Commander was one of the chief ofiicers of the fleet which 
was sent against the French in 1513, in which year he was knighted. 
In 1520 he was made Vice-admiral ; and in 1523 Admiral of the English 
fleet. In the 21st Hen. Vlllth. he subscribed the articles which were 
exhibited against Wolsey. In the 28th Hen. Vlllth. being knight of 
the garter, treasurer of -the household, and chancellor of the duchy of 
Lancaster, he was constituted Admiral of England, Wales, Irdand, 
Normandy, Gascoine, and Aquitaine : and in the following year became 
£arl of Southampton. He died in 1542. 



Please it your Grace to understande, that, on 
tewesday I cam a boorde the Peter, in verrey fowle 
weder ; which hath ccmtynued ever sythens fowler and 
fowler, in such wise, that in my lif I have not been in 

• See Stowe's Amulcs, edit. 1031. pp. 5U. sif. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

worse weder. And ever the wynde at South west, 
soo stragnably, that we can here noo Sayle to lye by : 
and yf we shulde goo to the See there were no re- 
medye, but goo with Flaunders, at the next. But 
assoone as God shall sende weder any thing mete for 
men to goo to the see, I shall slowe no tjme. And 
at my coramyng hider, ner as yet, I fynde but ix 
Sayles, besides the Passengers and boottes of Bye ; 
for neyther the Ships bee come from by North, ner 
yet the Ships that bee in Zelland, ner noon from 
Portesmouth, ner also the Ships oute of Thames. 
Howbeit I suppose the new Barke, and the Angell of 
Deptford, bee come to the Forland. 

As for newes I have noon to sende your Grace as 
yet, but I beseche your Grace, not oonly to cause 
Weldon to hast hider the vitailles, for lenger then 
Fryday we have noo vitailles here, but also that I 
maye have a Commission, for here is oon man, which 
kylled an other, and diverse other mysordres be- 
sides. Also please it your Grace as yet I spake 
for no wages for my self, howbeit yf it bee the kinges^ 
pleasor I shall serve hym without wages ; I am right 
wel contented soo to doo. And yf it bee his pleasor 
I shal have wages, gyve me "what yt shall please you. 
Mr. Pointz hath vj. s. viij. d. the day, Mr. W3mdeham 
had X. s. the day, and Sir Edward Haward had xx. s., 
as the blessed Trinitie knowith, who ever have your 
Grace, in his blessed tuycion. Written in the Downes 



224 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

the xxix th. day of July, by your servaunt to the best 
of my power. 

WYLLIAM FYTZ WYLLIAMS. 



LETTER LXVII. 



CDonnel^ the Irish rebels to Kmg Henry Vlllth, 

exculpating himself. 

[ms. cotton. VESPASIAN. F. XIII. foL 144 b. OrigJ\ 

•0* The O^Donnels of the North of Ireland were a powerful family 
in the reigns of Henry the Seventh and Henry the Eighth. One of 
them, probably the writer of this Letter, has been already mentioned, 
from Hall, as receiving knighthood at the Justs which Henry the Eighth 
held at M^estminster in 1511, in honour of the birth of a Prince. 

The intercourse which was carried on between the O'Donnels and 
James the Fourth and James the Fii^ of Scotland gave Henry the 
Eighth some uneasiness. The 0*Donnel of the present Letter, who, it 
is believed, was Odo the son of Odo Odonnel, seems to have been sensi- 
ble of it. 



After all due and moste humble recommendacionS) 
please it youre Grace to cawes the Letter that y do 
sende unto your Hyghnes by this youre servant and 
subjecte, Pers Yonge maryner and master of the 
Mawdeham of London, dwellynge at Reclef » besides 
London, to be rede in the presence of youre Grace. 
Also y beseche youre Grace to here the saied Pers to 
speke in my behalf, and to hime gew^' credence for 

» Radclitfe. . »• give. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 225 

myn excus, whiche in my mynde y nedede not for any 
offence that ever y dude against youre Highnes, but 
only for the murmor that hathe ben for my goinge into 
Skotlande, unto whiche y thinke youre Grace have 
taken no credence. And that it wolde pleas youre 
noble grace to cawes youre gracious mjoid to be write 
unto me, in and for the causes that y have write unto 
youre Highnes ; and allso of suche as the saede youre 
subject Pers, afor write, shall shewe youre Grace ; and 
efter youre writynge had, y shall endewoyre myself 
the best y can or may unto my power for the honowre 
of youre Highnes ande the welthe of this pore Lande, 
by the helpe of God ho^ ever encreas the prosperite 
of youre moste wictorious and Royall estat. Writ in 
M aner of Dongall, the xij. day of Janywer, the yere 
1514. 

Youre humble servant, 

O DONAILL. 



who. 



VOL. I. SEB. 2* 



52S6 ORIGIKAL LETTERS. 



LETTER LXVIII. 

Cardinal Bainbridge to K. Henry the Vlllth. a 
Letter of Intelligence ; the practises of the French 
at Rome. 

[ms. cottok. vitell. b. u. foL 77* Or%g.'\ 

%* IndiefeniierSeika, the Editor of diese Volumes, in oommenting 
upon the mysterious death of Cardinal Baynbrigge at Rome, in 151^ 
quoted a few lines of a Letter from the Caidinal hnnself to King Heniy 
the Ei^th, whidi Bishop Kennett had tianscribed among his own ma- 
nuscript C<dlections; and whidi certainly afforded ground to suspect 
that SyWester de Oiglis who then held the bishoprick of Worcester, and 
who resided at Rome, was at least hostile to the Cardinal (with whom 
he was supposed to act) in politicks, if he did not instigate his murder. 
The original of that Letter, which was ihought to have been burnt, has 
been since discovered, and is now Uud before the reader entire. 



Pleas itt your Grace att sundrie tymes hertofore 
I have writen unto the same the demenours of sundrie 
parsons that of dutie shulde in worde and deade be 
your Graces trewe and faithful! subgiettes, whiche me 
semyde shuld have been lokide uppon, and hath 
hedretowardes been litill regardide by your Graces 
most honourable Consaill. Albeitt, during the tyme 
of myne aboode here in this Courtt, I noder can ne 
woll desiste to signifie unto your Highnes suche thynges 
as I shall perceve that be dissonantt owder^ to your 
Graces honour or welthe of your Realme. If my 

» either. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 2^7 

writing shall be regardid by your Grace and your 
saide moste honourable Consaill I shall be verrey glad ; 
if nott I shall moste humblelie besiche your Highnes 
f accept my goode mynde, and to remembre here aftur 
that as your trew and faithful! subgiett I dide my 
dutie in that behalf. As touchyng my Lorde of 
Worcestre your Graces Oratour of late tjrme, his Se- 
cretary, uppon the dirke nyght, was mett commyng 
furthe of the Franshe Kings Oratours housse, the 
Busshop of Marsilia, with a torche light borne be- 
hynde hym ; and wher his way towardes his Masters 
housse lay straightlie by my gattes, he wentt oon odre 
way homewarde by a secret bake la}me, a goode space 
from thence; hereof is trewe and honeste recorde. 
The said Fransh Oratour is knowne manifestlie to- 
wardes your Grace and Realme as greatt enymye, as 
of his power is any odre within the Realme of France. 
Your "saide Oratour doithe use contynually the com- 
pany of the Protectour of France, boith in the Citie 
and also in vynes and garthynges^ withoutt the Citie, 
boithe by day and nyght, wherof right honourable 
men, your Graces frendes, haith att suiidrie tymes 
advertised me; and that he is more famiUer withe 
hym then with any Cardinal! of Rome. Itt is per- 
fitlie known unto every Englishman within this Citie 
that hath bene in company with your saide Oratour, 
that noo thyng can be more odiouse unto hym then to 

» Vineyards and gardens. 

ft2 



ft28 ORIGINAL L£TT£RS. 

here of any prousperous succession of your Graces 
causes, or for to here ony honour spoken of your 
Realme or subgiettes. What soo ever haith been 
shewide here concemyng your Graces honour ower* 
by writing from Englonde or odre places uppon your 
moste noble actes and victories obteignyde ayainste 
your enymes, he hath boith oppenlie and secretlie my- 
nyshed itt by his wordes to th'extremitie of his power; 
this thynge is here manyfeste boithe to Englishemen 
and odre. Your said Oratours Secretary shewide unto 
a right credible person that his master, with the said 
Protectour of France, did trihuraphe and maike goode 
chere togedre, using thies wordes ^ Latt thies barbarous 
people of France and Englond every oop kill odre 
what shuld we care therfore, soo we have their money 
to maike nierye withall here. Noo force of the Reste.' 
Sundrie Cardinals, and monye odre grett men also, 
hsith shewide me that they marvaill your Grace woU 
use suche oon infamyde person to be your Oratour, 
who is namyde here universally the Falsarie Oratour 
of Englonde. I doubt nott butt that som of your 
Graces Consaill woll say unto your Highnes that I 
doo speke this uppon malice, as perauenture they have 
saide' hertofore, when I have likelie writen ayanste 
odre ; and that I was mean to bryng hym into Rome 
in Pope Julis' days. Also that I solUcitide the Popis 
Holines that nowe is to admytt hym to the rowme of 

» either! 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 229 

your Graces Oratour, using hym conjunctlie with me 
in your Graces causes unto nowe of late, and that I 
have aunswerd your Highnes by letters by us boith 
subscribide, thinking therby that of moche lesse con- 
gruence I may thus writt ayanste hym. Verralie I 
may nott say unto your Grace that I bere towardes 
hym any grett favours ; and that partlie for his un- 
trouthe shewid towardes my self which I truste be nott 
unknown unto your Grace and your most honourable 
Consaill ; for wher in all my letters sentt unto your 
Grace I uside boithe his knowlege, advise, and sub« 
scription, he dide procure thynges of your Highnes 
by his own writinges without owdre my knowlege, 
consentt, or subscripcion, tho all I had like auctoritie 
as he had, whiche butt oonlie for my trouthe and di« 
ligence, knowne here in your Graces causes, hade been 
to my moste extreme dishonour. Albeitt I bere hym 
moche lesse favour for his untreuthe towardes your 
Grace and Realme, whiche I dalie perceve more and 
more. What soo ever I wrott ayanste odre men here- 
tofore, I assure your Grace I wrott unto the same the 
verray trouthe and no thyng els. Itt is of trouthe I 
brought hym into Rome in Pope Julis days oonlie at 
your Graces desire and commandementt, which was in ' 
maner to my infynyte labours and busines. Att whiche 
tyme, soo God be my help, Pope Julie shewide me 
expresslie that (tho for your Graces saike, an(J partlie 
at my desire, he was contentid to sufFre hym com to 



920 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

Rome as a private person, never to be in office thare, ne 
auctoritie,) he shulde undoubtidlie within short space 
serve owdre your Grace or me or boithe as untreulie 
as he hade doon hym. His Holiues shewide the same 
to th^ambassadour of Arragon in myne absence, as the 
said Ambassadour shewide me. I doo perceve the 
saide monicion somdeall commyne to passe. I pray 
God that heraftur itt be noo warsse. In like maner I 
movide the Popis Holines that nowe is for his admis- 
sion as your Graces Oratour by your saide commaund- 
mentt, and soo long as I see hym diligentt in your 
saide causes, perceving in hym noo untrouthe ne 
susfHcion, I uside hym accordinglie, and maide of hym 
like reapportt unto your Grace But aftur that nott 
oonlie by reapport of mony men, butt also that many- 
festlie I percevide the contrarye, I nodre have soUici- 
tide your causes with hym ne suffride hym to subscribe 
my letters ne (your Grace nott offendide) I never in- 
tende to doo during my lyve. Wherfore nott with- 
standing ony evill will that I bere towardes hym, uppon 
my faith and trouthe I doo writt noo thing aganste 
hym butt oonlie verray trouthe, and wMche that is 
owdre manifeste or probable ; and wher latelie I shewide 
unto the Popis Holines the letter from your Graces 
Ambassadours my self sool, nott calling your said Ora- 
tour ther unto, tho all itt was directide unto us boithe, 
wherof I sentt you aunswer from his saide Holines ac- 
cording to his commandmentt^ verralie I soo dide oon- 



OEIGINAL LETTERS. 931 

lie for the causes premiside. As touchyng the Breve 
super nomine Christianissimi Regis, wherof I sentt 
unto your Grace a Copie of long tymes passide with 
the Popis pleasour, also how he was contentide to writt 
your Grace withe the same stile in all his Breves, that 
he shulde directt unto you after that he knewe your 
Grace shulde be contentide therwithe and that he wer 
advertiside from you in that behalf, I doagretlie mer- 
vale that I never. sithens had worde of your Graces 
receving tharof ne your forsaide pleasour; by cause I 
never couthe see your saide Oratour contentide with 
thobtentt of the said Breve^ ne that labour shuld be 
made for speciall confirmacion therof, (whiche he ever 
reaputide in maner as impossible to be gotten,) I can 
therfore moche rather conjectour that by some crafty 
waye he haithe been barr that your letters shulde conii 
unto my haundes for that intentt. If your said letters 
have commyne unto his haundes oonlie, then I thinke 
verralie he haithe sollicitide the matier rather aftur his 
own apetite then for your Graces honour. Your Grace 
shall receve with thies presenttes a letter directide unto 
the same for my Lorde the Cardinall of Swices als 
Sedunen. I doo perceve by his sundrie letters latelie 
sentt unto me that bothe his saide Lordship and his 
contrymen contynuythe perseverantlie in their goode 
and perfitte rayndes towardes your Jlighnes and your 
moste blisside and honourable interprise, whiche I shall 
besiche the blisside Trynitie to make fortunate, with 



23St ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

the prousperous preservadon of your moste Toiall 
and highe estate. From Rome the xx^ day of May 
ii.D.xiiij. 

(Postscript entirely in the Cardinal's hand.) 

I doute not bot your Grace one your accustommat 
wiesdome dothe persave what trought,love, and kyende- 
ncs is founde in strangers as wel touerts your Highnes' 
as other of your subjectes in thees your grete affaires 
and interprises, and that frome the highes degre unto 
the loueste : thus I shall beseche Almyghty Jhu to 
preserve the sayme and that it may be my fortone to 
see your grace and feyde the sayme wher te good 
memorij of Pope Julij wishit I shulde. Rome ut 
supra by your mooste humble subjecte and beedman. 

CHRI. EBORUM, CAEDINALIS ANGLIiE. 

To the Kings Grace. 



OKIGINAL LETTERS. S33 



LETTER LXIX. 

Charles Earl of Worcester to Cardinal Wolsey: de- 
tailing the particulars of an audience from Louis 
the Xllth, previous to the marriage with Mary of 
England. 

[ms. cotton* calio. d. VI. foL 19f>.] 

*«* From this and a succeeding Letter, we learn that the proposal for 
an Interview with Henry the Eighth, between Ardres and Guisnes, of 
which so much has been said in the former Series of this Work, was first 
made in 1514, by Louis the Xllth. The amatory feelings of Louis 
the Xllth., in his old age, are not unamusing. 



Myne especiall good Lord, I humbly recomaund 
me unto you, and according to your last lettre that 
plesid you to sende me, datid at Sittyngbome the 
xxvij^*^. dale of Septembre, I have this daye, at a good 
leyser and a lone, spoken with the King, wiche gave 
me good and longe audiens. Furst I shewid him at 
lenght of the Ambassadours of Arongs^ saieng, and of 
his desires and ofiurs ; also of the Kinges Graces aunw 
swer theruppon ; of the wiche aunswer I assure you 
he wes veray glad and well contentid, and badde me 
to ascertayne the King his good and kynde brother, 
that he had and wolde gif the said King of Arogon 

• Aragom. 



234 OEIGINAL LETTERS. 

scmblablc aunswere, as he hadde shewid my felowes 
and me before: and in lyke maner to the Emprour 
and the Prince of Castell ; whansoever they send to 
him, as he is credably enformed that they woll shortly 
doo. And he suare by the God that he belyvid on, 
that lie wold nowder medle nor conclude amytee, nor 
entree in Icage by waye of mariage or otherwise, with 
any Prince leving,^ till he hadde spoken with the King 
my master and hadde his advyse and counsaill in the 
same : and soo he desired me to write and assure the 
Kiugcs Grace. And if this promyse to me made con- 
tent not his said Grace, he wold make hym any bonde 
that he wold ; but his word shuld be assure as any 
bonde in the world. Over this he shewid me that the 
said King of Arogon sent him a blanke seall to put in 
what he wold, and he send it him ageyn and aun- 
swerd that he wold not medle with him but as is afore- 
said. Moreover he said, that whansoever the Kinges 
Grace wol have the nombre of men that he is bonden 
by the treatie to have, he shal have them, and asmany 
more if it be his pleasur to serve his Grace ayenst any 
Prince leving,*'^ noon reserved nor exceptid. And this 
word he rehersid me iij. tymes, and badde me not to 
faille to advertise his Grace therof ; and moreover he 
said the Kinges Grace shuld name and appointe the 
chief Leder and Captayne whom he wold, owther in 
Englond or in Fraunce ; and he that wold disobeye 

* living. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 235 

his commaundement^ beyng his subgiet, he shuld dye 
for at a shameful! dethe. Also he saithe that whille 
he levithe, he wol doo nothing that may be to the hurt 
or displesour of the Kings Grace ; nor leve the amy tie, 
consideracion, and hertie love that is betwixt them, for 
all the Princes leving.a My Lord I assure you this 
word he spake as hertely as ever I saw any man speke. 
After all this comunycacion, he askid me whan the 
Einges Grace and he shuld see and speke togeder, 
and wher, for nowe ther wes nothing that he soo sore 
desired, and for that cause he wold not goo further 
than Pares or x leges abought, till he knewe the King 
his brothers plessour. I aunswerd him es my fellowes 
and I hadde aunswerd afore ; but he desired me that 
I wold wryte to the King his brother that what tyme 
that he wolde appointe, the wynter ones passed, he 
wqlde not faille ; and also that he desireth liim to ap- 
pointe the place and^ therof that he might be ascer- 
taynede that he may make preparacion for it, and also 
to have theryn further comunycacion. As fore^ as I 
can percey ve, he wold fajme it wijre in some of these 
Townes of Picardye, or else betwixt Bolayne and Ca- 
leis, if the Einges Grace will not come to some of his 
Townes in these parties, or in Normandye. 

I shewyd hym that I wolde not faille to ascertayne 
the Kings Grace of his mynde. As touching Jane 
Popyncourt I wold a shewid him the billes signed, but 

• living. i> So in the MS. : and time ? bd. « far. 



256 ORIOIKAL LETTERS. 

in no wise he wold here more speking of her, and de- 
sired nie as I lovid hym to speke nomore of her ; for 
he. wold she were brente, for my felowes and I hadde , 
shewid hym inowe of hur evill life. Moreover he said 
that ther shuld never man nor woman be abought his 
Wife but suche as shuld be at hur contentacion and 
plessour ; and that he spake for the said Jane, it was 
at the sute and desire of my Lord Longevile, as he 
tould me and my fellous before ; for he tould hym that 
the Quene lovid and trustid hur above all the gentil- 
women that she had abought hur : but if the King 
made hur to be brent he shall do but well, and a good 
dede. 

My Lord I assure you he hathe a mervelous mynde 
to content and plees the Quene, and synse he herd of 
hur londing, wiche was this momeng, ther is nothing 
can displees him; and is devysing new collers and 
goodly gere for hur. Ther was in his chambre but 
my Lord of Pares, Robertett, and the Generall, and 
I, wher he shewid me the godeliest and the richest 
sight of Jowelles that ever I sawe. I wold never have 
bilevid it if I hade not seen yt ; for I assure you all 
that ever I have seen is not to compare to Ivj'J. great 
peces that I sawe of dyamonds and rubyes,.and vjj. 
of the grettest perles that I have seen, besides a great 
nomber of other goodly dianaonds, rubyes, balais, 
and great perles ; and the worste of the seconde sorte 
of stones be preysid and coste ij^'- ducates. Ther is 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. S37 

X or xij. of the principall stones, that ther hathe ben 

refusid, for oon of them oon honderd thousand du- 

cates. And whan he hadde shewid me all, he said 

that all shulde be for his wife. And another coffer 

also was ther that was full of goodly gjrrdelles, col- 

lers, chenys^ braslettes, bedes of gould, and other 

dy verse goodly jewelles: but merely » lawghing he 

said. My Wife shall not have all at ones, but at 

dyverse tymes ; for he wold have many and at diverse 

tymes kysses and thankes for them. I assure you he 

th3mketh every ower a daye till he sethe hur ; he is 

never well but whan he herethe speking of hur. I 

make no doubte but she shall have a good lyfe with 

him, with the grace of Grod. 

My Lord I have made him your humble recom- 
mendacions, and well at lenght shewid him all your 
mater according to your Letter ; wherujqx)n he aun- 
swerd me that the Letter that was sent was unknowing 
to him, and soo said Robertett before me. But at 
Pares it was made by the Counsaill and avise of the 
Parlement for the ma3mteyneng of his right of his 
Souveraynte of Flanders. And his mjmde was nor 
never shal be to do that thing that shuld be to your 
hurt or displesour, but to do that in hym is to do you 
honour and prouffite; and that if God gife hym life 
ye shall knowe, for he repute you for oon of his spe- 
ciall loveng frendes, and desirethe you to take noo dis- 

» merriljr* 



i 



238 ORIGINAL LETTERS.' 

plcsor of that Letter, for in no maner of wyse he wol 
suffre in that mater nor other to be doon contrarye 
your wille : and moreover said, that, if ye wol, he wol 
make the Electe to leve all his title and right to you, 
for the mater is yet in his handes ; and therwith toke 
me by th'^ande, being present Robertett and the Ge- 
neral!, and said that he knewe well that I lovid you, 
therfor he put the mater in my handes ; if I wold saie 
that ye wold have it, ye shuld have it ; and badde me 
do theryn as I wold ; for soo it shuld be : of the wiche 
his saieng I hartely thankid hjrm in your name, and 
aunswerd hjrm, that, of his good, kynde, loveng, and 
favorable mynde that he bare you, with other good 
wordes, as well as I cowde speke, that I wold avertise 
you therof ; and than he said he wold wryte you a 
Letter wiche he wold I shuld sende you ; but he in- 
nowise woll wryte to my Lady, for he saithe he wol 
not wryte to hur that he knowithe lovithe him not. 
And this was the aunswer that I had. 

My good Lord I am sory that I can do no better 
in the mater, but what ye wol that I shall further do 
in yt I pray you that I may be avertisid therof, and 
in that and all other your causes to the uttermost of my 
power I shall fulfill youre m3aide, with the grace of 
God ; whom I pray to have you, myne especiall good 
Lord, in his blessid kepyng. Wrettyn at Abevill the 
iij^. daie of Octobr. 

My Lord as I was abought to close this letter the 



OKTGINAL LETTERS. 239 

GeneraJl sent me a Letter to sende you, wiche is an- 
nexed unto this lettre, abo Robertett sent me word 
that he hathe sent you the Kinges Lettre that I shoold 
a sent to you, and a lettre of his owen to you, pakked 
in a packet of letters whiche he hathe sent to Mareny 
bailly of Senlys : wich letters I make not doubte but 
they wol come to your handes. 

Assured yours to my power, 

C. WOECEST. 



LETTER LXX. 

The Earl of W(yrce8ter cmd Dr. West to King Hemy 
the Eighth, AJragnient only. A.D. 1614. 

[mS. cotton. BRIT. MUS. CALIO. D. VI. foL 199.] 



He gaf us right herty thanks, sayeng that we did 
hym the moost singulier plaisor that we coude do; 
and soo we departed for that night, for it was som- 
what late. 

Item, the said Monday in the mom3mg,^ all thyng 
was performed according to the said appointement, and 
the Matrimony was solemnised by the Cardinall of 

*■ Octoth. 



240 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

» which songe the highe Masse. TheQuenc 

that day kept her state apart in a Chaumber with 
certen Princesses at her table ende, and all th'^am- 
bassadours dyned in a Chaumber with the Due of 
Bretaign. The residue of lordes, ladyes, and gentil- 
women dyned in the greate Chaumber. And that 
same day the Kyng gaf her a marvellous great pointed 
diamond, with a rubye almost two unches longe, 
without foil, which was estemed by som men to ten 
thousand marcs. 

Item, on Tuysday, the Kyng gaf her a rubie two 
unches and an half longe, and as bigge as a mannes 
fynger, hangyng by two chaynes of gold at every end, 
without any foil; the value wherof few men coude 
esteme ; and the same day we dyned with the afm'e- 
said Due of Bretayn at his logyng, wher we wer right 
honorably feasted and entretayned ; and after dyner, 
he withdrew us in to a Chaumber apart, and ther he 
shewed us toguedre his good mynde towarde your 
Grace arid the Quene your suster, according as we 
have in our former letters writen to your Highnesse, 
with soo good wordes and soo herty affection, that it 
moved all the herers as we doute not but the Lordes 
at their com3mg hom wole shewe your Grace : for he 
desired them that sithens the Erleof Angolesme might 
not com to your presence to beyre therle of Angolesmes 
hert to you, which he said shuld be yours duiyng his 

■ a bhmk in the original, xd. 



OKIGINAL LETTERS. 24*1 

lyf, and ye shuld never make werre with any Prynce 
christened, but if his Maister wold gyf hjrm licence 
he wold be at your Grace is comaundement with all 
his power, with many other good and herty wordes 
which we doute not but the Lordes wole at large de- 
clare to your Highnes ; and at aftir none we rode to 
the Court, and there tvent to communicacion with the 
Counsell upon suche matiers as we had in charge, as 
well for the deliverance of the Juelles, Plate, Stuff, and 
other thynges which is performed according to th'^in- 
structions ; as also to khowe the state of the Quene and 
the noumber of the persones that shuld remaign with 
her in service, and with what wages or pension they 
shuld be entertayned ; wherein they aunswerd us that 
they wold speke with the Kyng in those matiers, and 
shew us his plaisour the next day, 'Wednesday. 

Item, Wednesday, the Kyng gaf the Quene a great 
Diamont a tablet, with a great rounde Pearle hangyng 
by it; and every day he gaf her also Rynges with 
stones of greate estimation : and the same day we dined 
with the Due of Alanson, and at aftemone we rode to 
the Court and comoned with the Counsell of the afore- 
said matiers ; wherin such determinacion was taken as 
we doute not but the said Lordes wole shew your 
Grace at lenght. They shewed us also, the same 
tyme, that the Kyng wold departe the morrowe, Thurs- 
day ; and soo he shewed us hy mself, wherfor the Lordes 
se}mg that all thynges wer perfited (K^rding to their 

VOL. I. SER. 2. ig^ 



S4£ OEIGIVAL LETTKKt* 

instructions, thought good to take their leyf that 
night, and soo they did. 

Item, forsomuch as ther was a generall clause put 
in the last Instructions, that all th'^ambassadours shuld 
retume agayn from Abbevill and goo no farder, we 
therfor, willing to fulfill your Graces commaundement, 
and dou^rng wheder we that had spedall comaunde- 
ment of your Highnesse, aswell by mouth as by our 
Instructions, to sollicite the brief Coronacion of the 
Queue, and also to be present at the same, shuld re- 
turn home, which we wold gladly have doon if it might 
have stonden with your plaisure, or elles shuld remayn 
according to your Graces former cbmaimdement, c6m- 
moned with my Lord of Norfolk and other of your 
Graces Counsell here, desiryng theym to shew us if 
they coude your plaisure in that behalf. And the said 
Lord of Norfolk said that we shuld doo according to 
your said former comaundement ; and that the generall 
clause extended not to us, but to theym that came at 
that tyme with the Quene ; and therfor,. according to 
your Graces comaundement and their advise, we shall 
endevor us for the acomplisshement of the same to the 
best of our powers, and from tyme to tjrme ascertaign 
your Grace of such newes as shal be occurraunt here. 

Item, this Friday, my Lord of Norfolk and other 
lordes and gentilmen, depart from this Town toward 
your Highnesse. The Frenshe K3mg maketh seni^ 
blaunce as he wold depart every daye, but yet he lyeth. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. S43 

Still ever excusing hym by his goute. The Quene is 
continually with hym, of whom he maketh asmuch, as 
she reporteth to us herself, as it is possible for any man 
to make of a Lady. And thus Jhesus have your moost 
noble Grace in his blessed tuition. Writen at Abbe- 
vile the xiij*. day of October 

By your moost humble servantes 
and subgiettes 

C. WORCESTR. 
NX. WEST. 



LETTER LXXI. 

The Ea/rl of Worcester to WoUey^ giving the King of 
Fro/rice's reasons for the return of Lady Guildford. 

[mS. cotton. BRIT. MUS. CALIO. D. VI. foL 201. Orig,"] 

*«* The dismissfd of *' Mother Guldeford*' as she was stiled, with 
nearly the whole o£ the female retinue of the Queen of France the morn- 
ing aSta her marriage, has already been detailed in the former Series * of 
these Letters by the Queen herself. From this Letter it appears that the 
person meant was the Lady Guildfobd : and we have here the King's 
reasons for insisting upon her departure. 



Myne especiall goode Lorde, I hertely recommaund 
me nnto you. The ij^^ daye of this present monethe 
I receyved your letter dated at Eltham the xxij* daye 

•Vol. i. pp.l|jB»nT, 

ii2 



S44 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

of October, by the wiche I percey ve and knowe the 
King my Soverain Lordes mynde and plessour what I 
shuld do touching the retome of my Lady Gilford. 
Also what your mynde is that I shuld do for your 
mater of Toumay. My good Lord, as touching the 
retome of my Lady Gilford, I have doon to my power 
and in the best waye that I cowde to the Frenche 
King ; and he hathe aunswerd me that his wife and 
he be in good and perfaite love es ever any two crea- 
tures can be, and bothe of age to rewle them selfe, and 
not to have servantes that shuld loke to rewle him or 
hur. If his wife nede of counsaill or to be rewlid, he 
is able to do hit ; but he was sure it was never the 
Queues mynde nor desire to have hur ageyn, for assone 
as she came a lond, and also whan he was maried, she 
began to take uppon hur not oonly to rewle the Quene, 
but also that she shuld not come to hym but she shuld 
be with hur ; nor that noo Lady nor Lord shuld speke 
with hur but she shuld here hit ; and began to sett a 
murmure and banding amonges Ladies of the Court : 
and than he sware that ther was never man that better 
loved his wife than he did, but or he wold have suche 
a woman abought hur, he hadde lever be without hur ; 
and he said that he knewe well whan the King his 
good and loveng brother knewe this his aunswer, he 
wold be contentid ; for in nowise he wold not havfe hur 
abought his wife. Also he said that he is a sekely 
body, and not at altymes that he wold be mery with 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. S45 

his wife to have any strange woman with hur, but oon 
that he is well acquentid withall, afore whom he durste 
be mery ; and that he is sure the Quene his wife is 
content withall, for he hathe sett abought hur nowder^ 
lady nor gentilwoman to be with hur for hur Mas- 
tres, but hur servantes, and to obbeye hur comaunde- 
mentes. Uppon which aunswere, seing he in no wise 
wold have hur, I aunswerd him agein soo that he 
was content, and soo I make noo doute but the Kinges 
Grace wold be, for the aunswer was well debated or I 
gave hit, es his Grace and you shall knowe at my 
comyng, wiche I trust shal be shortly ; for I purpose 
to departe horn ward the xij^h day of this moneth : for 
all the charge that my felous and I, and also that I 
was chargid with my good Lord of Suffolk and my 
Lord Marquis, wol be doon and concluded asmocheas 
can be at this tyme, within this iij daies. Es touching 
your mater of Tournay^ I did sende you from Abe- 
ville the Letter directed to my Lady of Savoye ac- 
cordinge to your desire, also the Electe was comaunded 
not further to medle nor noon of his OflScers ; and in 
lyke wise ther was a Letter sent to the Frenche Kings 
ambassadour at Rome noo further to medle ageinst 
you, and uppon your said last letter I have spoken to 
the said King according to your desire, and he is welt 
content to recompence the saide Electe and hathe 
oomaundid the said tresourer Robertett and the Ge< 

• neither. 



S46 ORIGINAL LXTTSRS. 

nendl of Nonnandye to speke with the President of 
Parlement, fader of the said Electe, to aggree for the 
said recompence ; wiche they wold doo without fawte 
this day or to morowe at the furthest : and also ther 
shall goo another Letter to his Ambassadour to Rome ; 
and the said King badde me to sende him word that 
without faille the said Electe shall make al suche releas 
or writing as ye can desire for your suertye therof. 
Or ever I deperte I woU knowe a perfaite ende theryn, 
and after the advyse and counsaill of master Dean of 
Wyndesore I woU cause to be made writing, if he 
thinke that any may be made, for your suertie, before 
ye sende to Rome ; or else I woll order the mater soo 
that at altymes whan ye wol sende for them that ye 
shall have theym. My good Lord, the King here 
hathe desired me to write to you that he hertely desirs 
you that in his name ye desire his good brother and 
cousin, if God sende h3an a sonne, that he may be 
godfader as he was last ; for in soo doing he shall do 
hym a right great pleissour. And he wol sende a good 
and honorable personage to be ther ageinst the Quenes 
deljTverance, to represent his personne, and to do the 

acte in his name ; also the said personne shal have auc- 

if 

torite to speke, comune, and conclude for ther metyng, 
and of other secrett maters. And of this he desires 
you that he may be ascertayned of his good brothars 
mynde and plesier be your writing ; for assone as he 
hathe aunswer he woll dispache his said ambassadour. 



OBIGIKAL LETTS&S. ^47 

My Lord the Frenche Quene tould me that she loved 
my Lady Gilford well, but she is content that she 
come not, for she is in that case that she may well be 
without hur, for she may do what she wolle. I pray 
God that soo it may ever contynue to his plessour, 
whom I pray to have you, myne especiall good Lord, 
in his blessid keping. Wrettyn at Saint Denyse the 
vj*h dale of November. 

Assurly yours to my power 

C. WOBCESTER. 

Myne especiall good Lord my 
Lord Archebusshop of Yorke. 



LETTER LXXIL 



Tlie Duke qfSuffoOc cmd the other Ambassadors in 
Fraiwe to the King^ gvvvng an account of their 
Negociations, the Coronation of the Queen^ <S*c. 

[mS. cotton. BRIT. MU8. CALIG. D. VI. foL 203. Or%g.'\ 



Please it your Grace, Sir, the last day of October 
the Kyng and Quene came to Sainct Denys, and send 
to Parys to us the Tresourer Robertett, prayeng us to 
remayn there the furst and seconde day of November 
for the great Solemnitie of the Feastes of Alhalowes 
and All Soules, and on Friday the third day of No- 



248> ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

vcmber he prayed us to com to Sainct Denys aforesaid, 
and then my Lord of Suffolke and my Lord Marques 
might deliver there your moost honourable letters and 
shewe their credence, which the Frenshe Kyng wold 
be glad to here, and then we shuld also know his de- 
terminate mynde aswell for the Coronation of the 
Queue as for her Entre into Parys. The said Friday 
aboute x. of clok we came to Sainct Denys according 
to the said appointement, and imediately we wer sent 
for into th' Abbey, and conveyed into a chaumber 
wher we dyned ; and after dyner we wer brought into 
the Kynges presence, wher after your moost herty 
recommendations and deliverence of your moost ho- 
norable letters by my said Lord of Sufiblke in due 
forme made, the Lordes, according to their instructions, 
gaf thankes, aswell for the honorable recevyng and 
metyng of the Queues Grace at her furst arry vaill at 
Bolayn, and speciaDy in his own person at Abbeville, 
as also for the lovyng and honorable entertayneng of 
her ever sithe, and for the good recuoil* doon to your 
Ambassadours late beyng with the Queue at Abbevile 
foresaid. 

Item, they shewed hym that by your ambassadours 
letters, that wer here befor, your Grace understode how 
well mynded and desirous he was for th'Enterview to 
be had, betwixt your Highnes and hym ; and therfor 
to th'^entent that he might understand that ye wer 

» regale, welcome. 



* ORIGINAL LETTERS. S49 

of no lesse mynde towards the same then he, your 
Grace had geven speciall comaundement to theym 
and to my Lord Chaumberlayn, and us that wer here 
bifor, to commune, treate, and conclude of the tyme 
and place most convenient for th^ same; and 'also of 
the maner and form therof, and with what noumbre 
either partie shuld com. And as touching this point, he 
hertely thanked your Grace, sayeng that his Counsell 
shuld forthwith goo with us to comune therupon : and 
after som comimication had with his Grace for the 
Queues Coronacion, which he said shuld be upon Son* 
day folowing, and th^Entree into Parys upon Monday, 
we wer brought into the Due of Longuevilles chaum- 
ber, wher was the Cardinall of Pree, the said Due of 
Longuevile, Mons''. Bussaige, the Tresourer Rober- 
tett, and the Generall of Normandie ; and after som 
comunication had there, we made overtyre of the scad 
metyng to be at your Town of Calys, persuading, by 
all reasons that we coude devise, that place to be 
most convenient therfor. Howbeit they wold in no- 
wise agree therto, sayeng that it was not convenient 
for divers consideracions, and specially the weyknes 
of their Maister considred. They said they trusted 
that your Grace wold not desire liym to labour so 
fare ; and after som replication to the same, we lefte. 
that matre undertermyned, and fell to Comunication 
of the tyme, and astouching that poynt, forsomuch as 
Esterday fallethe the viij th day of April, the nigh- 



S50 OmiGIKAL LXTTKES. 



nesse gf the said Feast and your passaye over seye 
ooQsidred, we thought it might not be before the xx^ 
of the said Monyth, whenmto they wer somwhat agre- 
able tar that tjrme ; and therwith they fell into comu- 
nication agayn of the place, desiryng us to make over- 
ture of some other place ; and seyng that they wold 
in nowise agree upon Calys, we made overture of 
Sainct Peters, sayeing that that was the furdest place 
that we had in C<»nmission to treate upon, to th^entent 
we might the rather induce thejrm to condescend upon 
the same ; and albeit they wer not contented with that 
place, yet they said they wold comune with the Kyng 
bothe of the place and tyme by us mensioned, and 
know his pleasur, and therupon commune with us 
agayn, and at this poynt we departed for that tyme. 

Item, Sonday the v.th. day of November, the Quene 
was crowned, and bifore she came to the Churche^ the 
space of an hour, Mons**. de Mombrancy^ came to my 
Lord of SufFolkes logyng, wher we were all toguedre, 
and desired us to come to the Church, to take up our 
places ordened for us or the presse came, and soo we 
did. The said place was ordened at the on ende of 
the Quere, on the right side of the highe aulter, right 
afore the place wher the Quene shuld be anoynted; 
and within an hour after she came in, accompanyed 
with a great companye of noblemen and ladyes ; the 
Due of Bretaign led her, and bifore her came the Due 

• Montmorency. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. £51 

of Alanson, the Due of Bourbon, the Due of Lon- 
guevUe, the Due of Albany, the Due of Bourbon is 
broder, the Countie of Vaundon, and the Countie of 
Sainet Poll, with many other noblemen and ladyes, in 
soo great noumber that it were to longe to write it, 
and also we cannot obtayn the knowlege of theym all. 
And furst the Quenes Graee knelld bifbre the aulter 
in a plaee prepared therfor, and there the said Cardi- 
nall of Pree anojrnted her, and after delivered her the 
Seepter in her right hande, and the vierge of the 
hand of Justiee ^ in her lyfte hand ; and after that he 
put a ryng upon her fynger, and fourtly he sette the 
Crown on her hed, which doon, the said Due of Bre- 
taign led her up a stage made on the lyfte side of the 
aulter, directly before us, where she was sette in a 
chayr undre a throne, and the said Due stode behjmde 
her holding the Crown from her hed to ease her of 
the weight therof ; and then began the highe masse 
songefn by the said Cardinall, wherat the Quene ofired, 
and after agnus she was houseld, ^ and, masse doon, 
she departed to the Palays, and we to our logyngs to 
our dyners. Howbeit, bifore our departeng, the tre- 
sourer Robertett desired us to com agayn after dyner, 
and then we shuld know the Kynges plais^ upon our 
said matiers. 

Item, immediately after dyner we came to the Due 
of Longueviles Chaumber, wher we founde the said 

• The Tirga, or rod of jiisticc. *> /. 0. received the sacrament 



25S omieiVAL lsttsrs; 

Cardioftll, the Due of Longueville, Monsr. de Tre- 
moille, the Busshop of Parys, Mods", de Piennez, 
the treasourer Robertet, and the GroieraU, and after 
soin oomunication we fell agayn to reasonnyng of the 
said tjrme and place, and at last they said that the 
Kyng had appcnnted Mons^ de Piennez that knew the 
cuntrey to be ther presente, and to name some place, 
indifferent wher the said place might be, and he named 
Arde or some place betwixt that place and Guysnes, 
whenmto we wold not agree, but oonly stake upon 
Sainct Pieters ; and with that they withdrewe theym 
apart and counselled togueder a good season, and then 
they came to this poynt that your Grace shuld come 
to your Town of Dover ther too remayn, and the 
Frenshe Kyng to Bolayn, and to send Comissioners 
afore on bothe parties to view a ground upon the 
lymyts of your Marches, betwixt Arde and Guysnes, 
or elles betwixt Bolajm and Calys, moost mete for 
your said Metyng and Entervieu ; and to agree aswell 
upon the same, as also upon the noumber that shall 
come with bothe parties, for it is to be supposed that 
they that shuld vieu and see the grounde shuld better 
appointe the said place and noumber according to the 
daunger of the same, then they that wer there and 
knew not the said ground ; and of this their overture 
they prayed us to ascertayn your. Grace, sayeng that 
it was the Kyng their maisters mynde, and more over 
to desire your Grace that the said Interview might be 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. S5S 

as nighe the begyunyng of the monyth of April as 
your Grace might conveniently, forsomuch as he en- 
tendeth to send his armyee over the Mounts in Merche, 
for the recovery of his right of Ast and Millayn, and 
folowe theym hjrmself assone as he might, as fare as 
Grannoble,^ because he wolde be nighe theym, which 
they said he wolde in nowise doo till he had seen your 
Grace ; wherof they desired us t'ascertajm your High- 
nes, trusting that ye wolde therfore the rather hast the 
matier, lest by reason of his longe taryeng his enter- 
prise this yere might be of small effect ; for the heats 
of the yere comyng upon his men of armes, might doo 
nothyng, and after som reasonnyng with theym, we 
drewe our self apart and debated the matier amongest 
oureself ; and forsomuch as they said it was the Kynges 
resolute mynde, and therby your Grace shuld have 
more avantage as we thought then the Frenshe Kyng, 
we agreed to ascertayn your Grace of this his mynde 
at their instaunt desire, and soo we departed and went 
to the Quenes chaumber. 

Item, Monday the vjth. day of November, the Kjmg 
departed aboute vij. of the clok in the momyng to 
Parys, and the Quene departed aboute ix. of the clok, 
and dyned at a Village two myles oute of Parys ; and 
at after none she made her entree into Parys aforsaid 
with greate solemnitie ; but the company of noble men 
and other was soo greate, and she was soo often mette, 

• Grenoble. 



S54 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

furst by the Provoet of the Merchauntes with the garde 
of the Town bifore hym, second with the Provost of 
the Justice and the Counsell of the Town, third with 
the Chaumber of Accompts, fourth with the President 
of the Parliament, fifth with th'Universitie, and divers 
other which wer to longe to write, that it was vj. of 
dok at night or she came to the Palays, wher she did 
lye all night ; and ther was a right greate bankette. 
Tuyseday, the next day, she dyned at the said Pa- 
lays, and at after none came with greate triumphe to 
Tumelles where the Kyng is loged ; also on Sonday 
next, by the grace of God, the Justes shall begynne. 
And thus Jhesus preserve your moost noble Grace. 
Writen at Parys, Tuyseday the vij^. day of No- 
vember, 

By your most humble subgiettes 
and servantes, 

CHARLYS SUFFOLK, T. DORSETT, C. WORCESTER, 

T. DOCWRA, 
NI. WEST. 

To the Kynges Grace. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. S55 



LETTER LXXIII. 

ChanrUs Brandon Duke of Suffolk to Wcisey, The 
Queen of France crowned. Albany's intention to go 
to Scotland, The Jtists finished. 

[mS. cotton. MUS. BRIT. CAI.IO. D. VI. foL 150. Orig,\ 



Myne owne good Lorde, I recommend me unto 
you; and so it is that I have receyved your Letter 
writen at Grenewiche on AUe Soulen daye, the i]^^. 
day of Novembre, wherby I perceyve that the Kinges 
Grace was well contented with my writing. My Lord 
this Letter shall be to advertise you of alle suche 
thinges as I can know syns my last writing, the whiche 
was the iij^^. daye of Novembre. My Lorde so it is, 
that on the Sonday after the writing of my last letter, 
the Quene was crowned right honorably ; and at after 
noon we and the Frensh Kinges Counsaill went to^ 
geder, and determ3med according as we wrote unto 
the Kinges Grace yn a lettre. My Lord syns the 
writing of that letter, the Duke of Albany came to my 
lodging, and saide that he was come to speke with me, 
and that it was the King his maisters mynde that he 
shulde breke with me of a mater ; and I said that I 
wold be content to here what the King his maisters 



5256 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

pleasure was by hjrm, or by any other body ; and so, 
apon that, he began, and saide that the Kinges mynde 
was that he shulde goo into Scotland, and' that he 
trusted that his going shuld doo good, for he entended 
to reduse theym of Scotland to be contented to take 
such a Peas as shuld be for the King my maisters ho- 
nour, and for the suertie of the children ; and because 
that there shuld be no suspecion, he had maryed, and 
he wold leve his wife in Fraunce, and also he wold 
come by the King tny maister, and wold retorne assone 
as he myght possible, for he must goo over the Moun- 
tayns ; with many othre wordes. And so whanne I had 
herd hym aUe that he wolde saye, I shewed unto hym 
that I had no commyssion to medill of suche maters ; 
and thenne he said that the Frensh King wold speke 
with me in the mater ; and I said that and his Grace 
did, I wold make his Grace suche an answere that his 
Grace shuld be content : and so, syns, I herd no more 
of the mater. How be it, my Lord Chamberla3me 
and Doctour West shewed me, that the Frenshe Kinges 
Counsaill had bien in hand with thaym upon the going 
of the said Duke ; and, apon that, we and they toke a 
conclusion to advertise the King therof in all haste ; 
and if so were that the Frenssh King wold be in hand 
with me, I shuld doo alle that is in me possible to let 
his going ; and I ensure you I woll doo soo, for I pro- 
myse you he entendith not well as fer as I can per- 
ceyve. My Lorde as touching the othre busynes se- 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 257 

Crete, I wolle goo in hand therewith in all the haste I 
can ; because I wotde come awaye, praying you that 
I have no more busynes to let me ; for I ensure you I 
have many thinges to shew the King that I will not 
write. 

My Lord it was soo, that three daies before my 
Lord Chamberlayn went, the Quene shewed to me 
and to my Lorde Marques divers thinges, the whiche 
we woll shew you at our comyng; wherby we per- 
ceyve that she had nede of some good friendes about 
the King ; and so we called my Lord Chamberlayne, 
my Lord of Saint John's, and Doctor West, and 
shewed them parte of the mater ; and we shewed unto 
them that we thought it best that we shuld sende for 
my Lord Longuevyle, the Busshop of Saint Paules, 
Robert Tete, a and the Generall of Normandy, and 
shewed unto the3rm that the Quene had sent for us 
and desired us that we wold send for theym, and 
desire theym on hir behalff and in the name of the 
King oure maister, that they wold be good and loving 
to hir ; and that they wolde gyve hir counsaill frome 
tyme to tyme how she myght best order hir selff to 
content the King, wherof she was moost desirous; 
and in hir shuld lak no good wille ; and bicause she 
knew well they were the men that the King loved and 
trusted, and knew best his mynde, therfore she was 
utterly determyned to love theym and trust theym, and 

• Robertet 
VOL. I. SER. 2. S 



268 OBI6INAL LETTERS. 

to be ordred by thair Counsull in all causes, for she 
knew well that thoes that the King loved must love hir 
best, and she theym : and so we did. And whenne we 
had shewed the^nn all this on the Quenes bihalff, they 
were very well contented, and said that they wold 
make reporte unto the King what honorable and 
lo\'yng request she had made, the whiche they said 
wold content hym very well. And they thankid hir 
Grace for hir good mjnde toward thaym, and said 
that they wold doo in every thing hir request, and to 
accept and take hir as theire Soverain Quene, and to 
counsaill hir on every behalff to the best of thair 
powers to doo the thing that shuld pleas the King 
thaire maister. Of which maters they have promysed 
us to assure unto hir Grace whansoever it shal be hir 
pleasure; and within thies ij dales our entencion is 
to bryng theym unto the Quenes Grace according to 
our comunicacion and appoyntment. My Lord at the 
writing of this letter the Justes were doon, and blissed 
be God alle our Englissh men sped well, as I am sure 
ye shall here by othre. And thus I comyt you to the 
Holy Ghoost whoo ever preserve you. Frome Parise 
the xviij day of Novembre 

by your assured 

CHARLYS SUFFOLKE. 
To my Lorde of Yorke. 



OBIGINAL LETTERS. ^59 

The Jvstb so emphatically alladed to at the dose of this Letter, re» 
quire a short comment 

Polydore Vergil insinuates that at the time when Henry the Eighth 
created Brandon Dukb of Suffolk, he had the intention of making him his 
brother-in-law* 

The French, when the Duke accompanied the Princess Mary to be 
Queen of France, shewed an extreme jealousy of him ; and if some of 
our writers may be credited, they would have been very glad to have de- 
molished both him and others ; him particularly, as wiU be seen in the 
following passage from Hall ; though *' blessed be God*' says the Duke, 
** all our English men sped welL" 

Having described the Entry into Paris, Hall tells us, '^ On the morrow 
began the Justs, and the Dauphin with his aydes entered the field ; the 
apparel and bardes were cloth of gold, cloth of silver, and crimson velvet, 
kanteled together all in one suit. They shewed themselves befive the 
King and Queen who were on a goodly stage, and the Queen stood so 
that all men might see her, and wcmdered at her beauty, and the King 
was feeble, and lay upon a couch for weakness. Then entered the 
counter-part by a rail, for cumbering the place. These Justs continued 
three days, in the which were answered three hundred and five men of 
arms, and every man ran five courses, and with sharp spears ; divers were 
slaiuj and not spoken of. The English lords and knights did as well as 
the best of any the other. At the Randon and Toumay, the Duke of 
Sufiblk hurt a gentleman that he was like to die. The Marquis struck 
Mounsire Ghrew, an Albanoys, with his spear, and pierced his head-piece, 
and put him in jeopardy. The Duke of Suffolk, in the tourney, over, 
threw a man of arms, horse and man ; and so dyd the lord Marquis an- 
other ; and yet the Frenchmen would in no wise praise them. At this 
Tourney the Dauphin was hurt in the hand, so that he could not perform 
his chalenge at the barriers, and put one of his ayde in his room. The 
next day after began the Fi^ht at the Barriers, and because the Dauphin 
was not present, the Duke of Suffolk and the Lord Marquis Dorset that 
day begun the field, and took the barriers with spears in hand, abiding 
all comers. The Dauphin brought a man secretly, which in all the 
Court of France was the tallest and the strongest man, and he was an 
Almayne, and put him in the place of an other person, to have had the 
Duke of Suffolk rebuked. The same great Almayne came to the barrs 
fiercely, with his face hid, because he would not be known, and bare his 
spear to the Duke of Suffolk with all his strength, and the Duke him re- 
ceived, and for all his strength put him by strong strokes from the bar- 
riers, and with the but-end of the spear Htrake the Almayne that he 
staggered ; but for all that the Almayne stJake strongly and hardly at 
the Duke, and the judges suffered many mo strokes to be foughten than 

S 8 



960 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

were appointed ; but when they saw the Almayne reel and stagger, then 
they let £dl the rail between them. The Lord Marquis Dorset, at the 
same time, even at the same bane, fought with a gentleman of France 
that he lost his spear, and in manner withdrew. When the rail was let 
fall, these two noblemen put up their vizors and took air. And then 
they took swords with point and edges abated, and came to the banieii, 
and the Almayne fought sore with the Duke, which imagened that he 
was aperson set on for the nonce, but the Duke by pure strength took him 
about the neck, and pomeled so about the head, that the blood issued out 
of his nose, and then they were departed ; and the Almayne was conveyed 
by the Dauphin lest he should be known. Then two noblemen of 
England, that day, fought valiantly divers feats, and the Frenchmen 
likewise nobly them defended; but it happened the Lord Maiquis 
one time to put, for his ayde, his youngest brother called the Lord 
Edward Grey of the age of nineteen years, and to him was put a g^tle- 
man of France of great stature and strength, to th* entent to pluck him 
over the barrs, but yet the young Lord was of such strength, power, and 
policy, that he so stroke his adversary that ,he disarmed him, all the face 
bare. 

*'*' Thus was these enterprises finished to the laud of all parties, and th* 
Englishmen received much honor, and no spot of rebuke, yet tfiey were 
prixdly set at, and in many jeopardies.*' * 



LETTER LXXIV. 



Louis the XIItK of France to King Henry the Eighth^ 

expressing his contentment. 

[ms. cotton, calig. d. VI. foL 146. Orig,^ 



MoN bon Frere, Cousin, et Compere, a vous tres- 
afiectueusement, et de si bon cueur que faire puis, 

• Han* Chron. edit. 1648. Hen. VIII, fol. xlix. 



OBI6INAL LETTERS. 261 

me recommande. J'ay par ce porteur votre Officier 
d'Armes re9eu les Lettres que m'avez escriptes du 
ix™e de ce moys, et par iceUes entendu le plaisir que 
vous avez eu d^entendre par mon Cousin le Due de 
Suffort de mes nouvelles, et le contentement que j'ay 
de la Rojme ma femme votre bon seur, laqueUe s'est 
jusques icy conduycte et conduyt encores joumelle- 
ment envers moy de sorte que Je ne sauvo}^* que 
grandement me louer et contenter d'elle; et de plus 
en plus Taymer, honnorer, et tenir chiere, parquoy vous 
pouez estre seur que ma voulonte est et sera a jamaiz 
de continuer, et la traicter en toutes choses par fa9on 
quelle sen contentera et vous pareillement. 

Et auregart du recueil et bonne chiere que mon dit 
Cousin de Suffort vous a dit, que je luy ay faicte et 
dont vous me merciez, il n'est nul besoing, mon bon 
Frere, Cousin, et Compere, de ce me faire merciz ; 
Car je vous prie croyre que oultre cie que je S9ay le 
lieu quil tient a lentour de vous, et lamour que luy 
portez, ses vertuz, meurs, ho nestete, et bonnes condi- 
cions meritoient quil feust honnore et recueilly trop 
mieulx quil na estre toutesfoiz pour honneur de vous, 
je luy ay fait la meilleur chiere que possible ma estre. 

Au surplus en tant que touche les matieres secrectes 
desquelles icelluy mon Cousin de Suffort m'avoit 
parler, et sur lesquelles je luy avoye fait response 
telle quil vous a declaree par mes Ambassadeurs que 
j"'ay depeschez et envoyez devers vous, vous en auez 



262 ORIGINAI. LETTERS. 

peu entendre plus auant, vous priant tresafFectueuse- 
inent apres les avoir ouyz y pr^idre resolucion et d'^icelle 
m^advertir le plus tost que faire se pourra, pour selon 
cela me gouvemer et conduyre, et cependent en en- 
suy vant oe que par vos dites lettres vous me mandez. 
Je tiendray les cboses en suspens sans y prendre au- 
cune conclusion, vous advisant que a bonne et mauvaise 
fortune je vueil vivre avecques vous, et non seulle- 
ment entretenir la bonne amytie et allience qui est 
entre vous et moy faicte et juree comme sauez maiz 
icelle inviolablement garder et observer le plus tost 
I'augmenter et accroistre que la diminuer, esperant 
que vous ferez le semblable de votre part. Priant 
Dieu sur ce point mon bon Frere, Cousin, et Compere 
quil vous ayt en sa saincte gard. Escript a Paris le 
xxviij jour de Decembre. 

Votre loyal Frere, Cousin, et bon 

Compere 

LOYS. 

A mon boa Frere et Coin|)ere> le 
Roy d'Angleterre. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. ^68 



LETTER LXXV. 

Isabella of Arragon^ Widow of Frederic King of 
Naphsy to the Qtieen of Fra/nce, imploring a^sist^ 
ancejbr herself and her sons, Ferdinand a/nd AU 
phonso. 

[ms. cottok. vesp. r. in. foL 60. Orig,] 

*^* Although no superscription appears to this elegant I/etter, there 
can be no doubt to whom it was addressed. The allusion in it to the 
affliction of her whose husband was styled Chrutianissimus, and who is 
earnestly solicited to recommend to her brother, either by Letter or when 
they met, the case of Isabella and her children, undoubtedly points at 
Mary Queen of France. 

The resignation of the Crown of Naples by King Frederic in 1 501, 
when Louis the Twelfth and Ferdinand of Arragon had united to divide 
his dominions between them, is an Event well known to History : as 
well as that Louis and Ferdiqand, though they had concurred in making 
the conquest, differed about the partition of it. 

Frederic retired to France, where he was allowed to reside in the duke- 
dom of Anjou, upon a pension of tiiirty thousand ducats. He died at 
Tours, Nov. 9»»» 1504. 

After his death, Isabella, who was his second wife, was ordered to 
quit France with her children. With the whole of her wanderings we 
are unacquainted : '' Ego et filii mei — ^patria et Imperio dejecti—mendi- 
cantibus quamsimili, totam ferme Europam, tot annos, nullis certis se- 
dibus peragramus infelices." She retired first to Sabioneta in Lombardy, 
to her sister Antonia, who was married to Francisco Oonzaga; and after- 
wards to Ferrara, whence the present Letter is dated, and where both she 
and her younger son Csesar, who is not mentioned by name in this Letter, 
died. Isabella died in 1533. 



His proxime decursis temporibus, notum factum est 
mihi quanta humanitate et dementia Alfonsum filium 



964 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

meum Infantem de Aragonia f ueris prosecuta ; quod 
etsi regio more fieri consuevit, tamen pietati tuae 
maxime qua felicissima domus tua semper claniit, 
merito illud ascripsi. Sperabamque cum conjugis tui 
Christianissimi favore ac natu, turn vero te nostra in- 
commoda miserante, ma^imam calamitatum mearum 
partem, ac natorum meorum, quamprimum minui 
posse, ac molliri. Sed rerum humanarum volubilitate 
plane deceptus, miserandus homo continue afflictatur. 
Cujus rei Ego et filii veri testes esse possumus, qui 
patria et Imperio dejecti, miserabiliter, mendicantibus 
quam simillimi, totam ferme Europam, tot annos, 
nullis certis sedibus peragramus infelices. Jure igitur 
ipsius Regis obitum moeremus, tecumque deflere libet. 
Superest tamen ut memores simus conditionis hu- 
mansd, qua infirmius ac inconstantius nihil esse vi- 
detur ; quamobrem ego, et ipsi filii mei, omni con- 
solatione indigentes, rogamus te, etiam ac etiam, ut 
prudentiam tuam, regiamque fortitudinem, non oblita 
acerbitatem tanti casus quse te decet sapientia mitiges, 
fortique animo feras. Et quoniam clare patuit ut 
prsedictum est, erga filium meum dementia tua pre- 
camur te ut cum scribas ad serenissimum Regem 
fratrem tuum, aut si quando ilium te convenire et 
alloqui contigerit, ei nos diligentissime velis commen- 
dare, prsecipue ac seorsum Ferdinandum Aragonium 
primogenitum meum, qui ut scire te credimus inno- 
center in vinculis habetur, ipsumque Alfonsum solita 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 265 

dementia foveas rogo. Vale Domina mea, nostri 
memor, quibus interdum etiam ad vitam necessaria 
utinam habere liceret. xi. calen. Aprilis. Ferrarig. 
Mo. D. XV. 

E. M^. V. obsequentissima 

Irifelicissvma Ysabella 
DE Akagonia. 



, LETTER LXXVI. 

Tliomas Lord Ddcre and Dr. Magnus to King 
Henry Vlllth. upon Queen MargarePs delivery 
of a daughter. A. D. 1515. 

[ms. cotton, calig. b. VI. foL no. CHg,] 

*^* This Letter relates to the hirth of Margaret afterwards Countess 
of Lenox, the mother of Henry Lord Damley, and the grandknother both 
of James the First and Arabdbi Stuart. 

There is something arrogant if not contemptuous in it The 
writers thought it quite unnecessary to send a special messenger to the 
King to announce his sister^s safety after her delivery : and though they 
mention the christening as taking place the next day after, they omit all 
notice of the name which had been given to the child. Margaret was out 
of favour at this time. They merely asked his Grace's Pleasure, that they 
might '' motion and move her accordingly." 



Pleas it your mooste noble Grace to wete, that the 
thride daye nexte and ymmediatly after the date of 
our Letters laste sent unto your Highnes by pooste, 



266 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

beyng the viij'^ daye after that the Quene of Scottes 
your suster came and entred into this your Realme, 
her Grace was delivered and brought in bedde of a 
fare younge Lady, and, with suche convenient pro- 
visions as couthe or mought be had in this baron and 
wyld countrey, was cristenned the next daye after; 
and every thing done accordingly as apperteigned to 
the honor of the same, the soden t3ane, by Goddes 
provision so chaunsed, well considred. Gladde wold 
we have bene to have advertised your said Highnes of 
the Queues said delyveraunce, but our causes here 
were so intriked with miche combre and busynes, as 
herafter ensewing it doth appere, that we couth not 
ascertane your Highnes of the same till this tyme, 
oonles we shuld have sent up a poste purposely for 
the Queue's said deliverance, whiche we thought was 
not gretely requisite but if there had bene furthre 
matier touching your causes to have bene sent up unto 
your Highnes. 



Forsomuche as the Quene is lyeng here is uneasfiill 
and costelye, by occasion of farre cariage of every thing, 
we be mynded to move her Grace to remove to Mor- 
peth, assone as convenyently she maye after her Grace 
have sought the Churche and be purified. It may 
like your Highnes to signifie your mynde and pleasur 
unto her said Grace how ye think ye woll have her 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 267 

further to be brdored that we may mocion and move 
her accordingly. 

Sir Christofer Garveis came to Morpeth imme< 
diatly upon th^ Queue is delyveraunce and by our 
advice hath contynued there with suche stuff as your 
Grace hath sent to the said Queue your suster, till 
Sondaye laste paste, whiche daye he delyvered your 
Letter, and disclosed your credence, gretely to the 
Queue's comforte. And for somiche as the Queue 
lieth as yet in childe bedde, and shall kepe her cham- 
bre these thre wookes at the leiste, we have advised 
the said Sir Christofer Garveis to remaigne at Mor- 
peth till the Queue is comyng thidder. 

And then her Grace may orden and prepare every 
parte of the said stuf after her pleasure, and as her 
Grace semeth moste convenient. And Almighty God 
have youe our mooste dradde Soveraigne Lorde in 
his mooste blessed preservacion. At Harebottell the 
xviij^^ day of October. 

Your humble subjectes 

and servantes 

THOMAS DACRE. • 
T. MAGNUS. 

Unto the Kinggs mooste 
Noble Grace. 



268 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 



LETTER LXXVII. 

Letters Patent of King Henry the Eighth Jbr a cha- 
ritable collection toward the relief of Prisoners in 
Barbary. A, 2>. 1515. 

[ms. dokat. but. mus. 4619. art. 93. pat. 7* hen. 8. p. 2. m. 23. 

PRO JOHAKNE HOPTON.] 

*^ The Brief, as it is usually called, or Letters patent for a charita- 
ble collcctioQ, is of ancient standing in England : and, in earlier times, 
was a more efficient remedy for misfortunes than at present. 

A remarkable Letter of this sort occurs in the Donation Manuscript 
in the Museum, 4614. foL 106. as early as the reign of Edward the 
Fourth. It is a Licence to Sir Manuel Jagubin citizen of Constantinople, 
*•*• of the housholde of the Emperour of Chrekes, and of his Gounsaill, that 
he for his redempdon and of his wife and children, which at the subver- 
sion of the said Citie were taken prisoners by the cruel Turke, may gadre 
within this our Realme the charities and almes of suche of our subjectes 
as to the same intent will departe with him of their goodes." 

Other protections for gathering of alms, to persons who had sufiered 
by fire, in the first of Richard the Third, occur in the Harleian Ma- 
nuscript 433. foil. 148 b. 151. 

The piratical States of Barbary arose only at the b^inning of the 
sixteenth Century, so that it is probable that this Letter, as fiir as the 
redemption of slaves is concerned, is one of the earliest of its kind. 



Henry- by the Grace of God Kyng of Englond 
and of Fraunce, and Lorde of Irelond, to all Arehe- 
bisshoppes, Bisshoppes, Dukes, Marquesses, Erles, 
Barons, Knyghts, Squiers, and all other oure true 
and lovyng subjectes of this our Reame of Englond, 



ORIGINAL LETTilRS. 269 

or others resiaunte within the same, good Cristen 
people, thies oure letters herying or seyng gretyng. 
Where our Ship lately called the Criste bejmg 
freighted into Levant with wolles and other mar- 
chaundises, by oure trusty and welbeloved subjectes 
John Aleyn, Hugh Clopton, and Richard Fermour, 
of oure Citie of London marchauntes, was, in her 
saill3nig beyonde the straites upon the costes of Bar* 
bary, encountred and sett upon by certeyn Foystes 
and Galeys of the Mores and Infideles, ennemies to 
Cristes feith, where, after long conflict bitwene them, 
and diverse slayne of bothe parties, by the great mul- 
titude of the same Infideles all the Christen men 
beyng in oure seid Ship, except the nombre of xxx**, 
persounes, were sla3me and murdred; and the same 
our Ship, and Cristen Men in her, was taken and' 
conveyed to a Citie called Touneges^ in Barbarie, 
and there she and all the goodes in her confiscate; 
and the seid Cristen men put into great captevitie and 
thraldome remayning prysoners in irons, and havyng, 
as we be credibly infourmed for there sustentation 
but brede and water, and yet scante therof to sus- 
teygne there pore living, to the great hevynes and 
discomforte as well of them and their frendes as all 
other good true Cristen people. In consideration 
whereof, and for asmoche as we doo verailly thynk 
it were th3nig moost meritorious to redeme the seid 

» Tangtor, anciently called Tinjii, 



S70 ORIGINAL LETTERS* 

Cristen prysonners oute of th'ondes of the seid In- 
fideles, we late you wete we have auctorised and gy ven 
licence^ and by thies presentes we auctorise and geve 
licence to oure trusty and welbeloved servaunte John 
Hopton, gentilman hiussher of oure Chambre, that he 
by hymself or his deputie or deputies, havyng thies 
oure lettres, or the verey copie of them made by a 
Notary under his signe, and subscribed by the said 
John Hopton, maye aske, geder, levie, and receyve 
of all maner personnes within this oure seid Reame, 
of what degree or condition soever they or any of 
theym be, all suche summes of money as they of their 
charities, good disposicions, and frewylls, woU geve 
towards the relief and redem)mg of the seid Cristeh 
men oute of the thraldome and captivitie of the seid 
miscreantes and infideles, at all tymes frome the dale 
pf the makyng hereof duryng the space of thre Yeres 
then next and immediatly ensuying. Wherfor we 
woll and desire you, and natheless commaunde all 
you and every of you not onely permytte, and suffer 
the seid John Hopton, and his seid deputie or de- 
putieip, to use and enyoie the hole effecte of this oure 
auctorite and licence, but also that in execution of the 
isame ye be to hjrm and them favoryng, aydyng, and 
assistyng, and puttyng therunto youre good and cha- 
ritable helpyng handes, whereby we doute not ye 
shall not onely do thyng moche to the pleasure of 
God, and thencreace of youre merittes, but by the 



ORIGINAL LETTERS* 271 

same ye shall ministre unto us right acceptable and 
thankfuU pleasure. In witnesse whereof, &c, 

Yeven under oure Great Seale at Otford the xiiij. 
die Augusti. 

Per ipsum Regem et de dat. &c. 



LETTER LXXVIII. 

WiUiam the IVth, Duke of Bavaria, to King Henry 
the Eighth, recommending Wolfgang Richart, who 
had perfected an " Opus Musicale.'*' 

[ms. cotton, vesp. r. iii. fol. 99. Orig,^ 

*«* Sir John Hawkins in his History of Musick, vol. ii. p. 533, 8a3rs it 
is somewhat remarkable that Mosley in his Introduction to Harmony has 
taken no notice of our Henry VIII^\ as a composer of Music. Erasmus 
relates that he composed offices for the Church; Bishop Burnet has 
vouched his authority for asserting the same ; and there is an anthem of 
his for four Voices,. ' O Lord the maker of all things,* in the Books of 
the royal Chapel, and in the Collection of Services and Anthems pub- 
lished by Dr. Boyce, which every judge of Music must allow to "be ex- 
cellent.* It is true that in a Collection of Church Musick, intided 
* The first Book of selected Church Musick, collected by John Barnard, 
one of the minor canons of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul,' and pub- 
lished in the year 1641, this Anthem is given to William Mundy, but 
the late Dr. Aldrich, after taking great pains to ascertain the author of 
it, pronounced it to be a genuine composition of King Henry VIII*\ 
The &ct is, and there is additional evidence of it existing, not only that 
Henry understood Musick, but that he was deeply skilled in die art of 
practical composition ; for in a collection of Anthems, Motets, and other 

» It is alto in Dr. Tudway'i Manuscript Collection, marked H. R. 



S72 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

duudi oSecBj in the hand writing of one John Baldirin of the choir of 
Windsor, a Tcry good composer himadf; which appears to have been 
competed in the year 1591, is a CompositioQ for dnee Tokea, with these 
words, ^Henricus OcUyus,' at the beginning ; and then ^ Quod* Henricos 
Octayus,' at the end of the Cantos or upper part: ^ Qoam polchra es et 
qnam decora*.** 

The HaddanMS. 1419, A. foL 200, contains the List of Henry the 
£ig^th*s Musical Instruments remaining at Westminster, ^^ in the chardge 
of Philipp van Wilder," in an Inyentory of Goods taken at the different 
Palaces immediately after the Kings death. 

They consisted of Five Pair of «^ Double Regalles,** ^ two of them bear, 
ing the King*s Arms and Queen Jane's : thirteen pair of ^^ Single Re- 
gaUes ;** numerous pairs of ^^ VirginaUes'* both sing^ and double ; « two 
pairof '^Churicordes;*'<* nineteen ^' Vialles** great and small ;« ^ Item, 
four Gittenms' with four Cases to them, they are caulled Spanishe 
ViaUes ;** two Gltteron pipes of ivory tipped with silver ; ^' Item, xiiij. 
Gitteronne pipes of woodde, in a bagge of leather, they are called Cor- 
nettes ; f a Gitteron and a Lute in a case together ; Flutes innumerable, 
some of Ivory tipped with gold and enameled black ; a Case with ten 
flutes in it called Pilgrim staves ; Crumhomes ; ^ Recorders, great and 

• <. 0. Quoth. 

b Rkoallb»— Re/ra/» a imall portable oigan, with one row of pipes. A double 
Regal was also portable, but had two rows of pipes. Mersennus (Hartnonie Univer- 
•elle) says in one place, that the stop vor humana took the name <tf Regal : in another 
he describes the HarvMnica, and cidls it a Regal. There can be no doubt, however, 
that the above is the correct definition. There is even yeCa " Tuner of the Regab" 
in the Royal Housdu>ld, whose business it is to tune the organs in all the Chapela 
RojraL 

< YiROiKALLKS. The Virginal was that which afterwards took the naroeof Spinnet, 
and differed flrom it only in shape. The Spinnet was triangular ; the Virginal oblong* 
like our small piano-fortes. 

• C'LABicoROBS. The CUnichwrd is described by Kircher> in his Muturgia Unl- 
versalist as a VirginaL Luscinius throws something like strips of doth over the 
strings, to damp their soimds, and render the instnunent more fit for the use of a 
tranquil Convent. That the Yii^ginal and Claridiord were similar to Spinnets— or, in 
fact, to small harpsichord*--appearsfrom the description given of them by Lusdniua, 
{Musurgia, aeu Pieuris, Mutica, 16S6, p. 9.) '* Omnia hsc instrumenta habent plectra 
(sic enim ilia vocant) chordas diversis In locis c(»itrectantia :" &c. 

• ViALLBa— Ftoto, comprehending under this term both large and small. A Chett 
of VioU was a set of instruments, comprising a treble, tenor, and base Viol : or what 
we now denominate, a Violin, Viola, and Violoncello. 

f GiTTBBOK. Cittern, or Guitar : not of the Spanish kind, but such as was in use 
in England about so years ago. The Gitteron Pii>es which are mentioned, are believed 
to have been pipes or flutes by which the Guitar was accompanied. 

K CoBNKTTSS. Cometf a bent pipe, yielding a harsh, powerf^d sound. There were 
treble, tenor, and base Comets : the latter Mersennus odiibits in the exact form <tf 
our modem Serpent. 

>> Crumhobn. This was a treble Comet: Joum signifies, in German, hvnH* 



ORIGINAL LSTTEBS. £73 

9mall, some of Ivoiy, and some of walnut tree ; * one great base Recorder 
of wood ; a pipe for a taberde ; nine Shalmes ; ^ a Bagge pipe with 
pipes of Ivory, the bag covered with purple velvet ; two fair pair of new 
long Virginals made harp.fashion<: of Cipres, with keys of ivory, having the 
Kings arms crowned, and supported by his Grace's beastes within a 
garter gilt, standing over the keys ;*' a Flute and ^' two Phiphes ^ of blacke 
Ibonie;" other flutes of glass; various " short Instruments called Dul- 
ceners ;*' « and a little Venice flute ; ' with '^ sondrie Bookes and SkroUes 
of Songes and BaUattes.'* 

Two of King Henry the Eighth's own Music-Books, ornamented in 
the superbest manner of his time, are still preserved among the Royal 
Manuscripts in the Museum. One, MS. Reg. 8 G. vii, on the first page, 
has the Badges of the King and Katherine of Arragon richly illuminated 
beneath the Royal Arms. The other, marked 2 C xi, was written in 
ldl6. This also has the Royal Badges, with the Mabguerite or 
daisy and the MAXYgoldy in honor of his sisters. 

Music was an accomplishment by which Henry the Eighth's courtiers 
recommended themselves. Folydoi:e Vergil says of Richard Pace ^^mum 
ticus et facetus incredibiliter animum Regis delectabat." Wolsey saw 
the fascination, and despatched Pace upon a foreign Embassy. « 

Henry the Eighth's children, Edward, Mary, and ElizabeA, all played 
upon the Lute and Virginals. 

» RsooRDXRS. The Reeordey was a small English Flute* or JHute a bee, and an- 
swers precisely to our Flageolet. The Base Recorder was, according to Kircher* 
analogous to our bassoon. 

^ShAlmxs. 'The SAaecn was the base Comet. 

c ViBOiNAL, HARP-FASHION. This wasan uptight instrument Mersennus gives the 
figure of one, which Sir John Hawkins calls an upright Harpsichord. But the 
former copied nearly the Clavieimbalum of Lusdnius, which is only a Spinnet, or 
Virginal, having the strings placed vertically. 

d Phiphks. Fifes. 

• DuLCXM BRS. Zhtleimere. Luscinius gives a cut of one, which he names the Hack' 
bret. It is an instrument still to be seen in toy-shops, consisting of a few strings 
stretched over an oblong box, and struck by two sticks. It must have been of con- 
siderable dimensions in the time of Luscinius ; for he says " ignobile est," on account 
of the loudness of its sound. 

' The Venice Flute is an Instrument which seems to be unknown to all the writers 
on Music. 

For the explanations here given of the different kinds of Musical Instruments 
formerly in use, the Editor has been indebted to the kindness of William Ayrton, Esq'. 

s <* Pacseus enim vir bonse frugi, in senatu regio recte consulebat, item optime 
moratus, literatus, mtuictu et facetus, incredibiliter r^s animum delectabat, k quo 
in rebus etiam gravioribiis lubenter audiebatur. Atqtd quanto Prindpi charior fiebat, 
tanto ei inimidor erat Yolscus, qui apud r^em primus omnino ferre volebat, atque 
iddreo hominem spcde cjusmodi obeimdarum legationum, longissime ab Honioo, a 
domo, a patria abfuturum enfxa curabat." Polyd. Veig. AugL lib. xxvii. p. 65. etUt. 
Lug. Bat 1061. 

VOL. I. SER. 2. T 



S74 OBIGINAL LETTERS. 

Illustrissime Rex, domine et affinis pluiimum 
obeervande, salutem et felicitatem maximam, sese 
quoque deditissimum &c. Volfgangus Richart qui 
olim illustri Principi et domino Domino Alberto Pa- 
latino Reni superioris et inferioris, Bavarise Duci, ge- 
nitori nostro charissimus fuit, et a nobis non minus 
diligitur, cujus opera cum in aliis tum potissimum 
in rebus bellicis usi fidem singularem ac prsecipuam 
disciplinae militaris peritiam facile perspeximus, Is 
cum Opus Musicale quoddam artis suae regiis oculis 
visendum exhibuisset, quam humaniter exceptus, quam 
liberaliter ac magnifice tractatus fuerit, nobis exposuit. 
Praeterea significavit se perquam benigno sermone ac 
honestis conditionibus invitatum fuisse, ut vestrse illus- 
trissimse dominationi suam locaret operam, necque ei 
tum per voluntatem sed facultatem defuisse, quod quae- 
dam opera imperfecta et inelaborata habuisset, quae 
sibi, antequam in Angliam proficisceretur, . illustris 
Princeps Christoferus Marchio Badensis, excolenda lo- 
cavisset, et ad ea perficienda a vestra regia dominatione 
discessisse; nunc autem perfectis operibus omnino 
decrevisse suum ad vestrarum Illustr. dominationum 
maturare reditum. Sed cum is, ut supra diximus, 
nobis plurimum dilectus, tum propter singularem ejus 
modestiam atque observantiam, tum quod fortis ac 
manu promptus existit in re militari, qui etiam delec- 
tum militum fi^ere, exercitum ducere, et aciem more 
nostro instruere optime teneat, dignum existimavimus, 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 275 

egregiis et singularibus virtutibus prseditum, vestrae 
Celsitudini commeDdare ; eum igitur vestrae illustr. 
dominationi plurimum commendamus ea commenda- 
tione quae potest esse diligentissima. Quicquid enim 
vestra Regia dominatio beneficii in eum contulerit, id 
erit nobis gratissimum : nee difBdimus pro omni ob- 
sequendi genere totis viribus se diligentissimum obse- 
quiosissimumque praestiturum. Etsi nobis nulla un- 
quam commentatio cum illust. dominatione vestra 
fuerit, attamen humanitatem, mansuetudinemque ves- 
trarum, tum ex Oratore vestro turn etiam ab omnibus 
audivimus praedicari quare, eidem V. illust. Dn. nos 
plurimum commendamus. Quae nostra Opera, pro ar- 
bitrio uti potest, sicuti forte ex Oratore cui mentem 
et animum nostrum declaravimus, explorata habuistis. 
Valeat vestra Regia Excellentia. Dat. in oppido nos« 
tro Monacen. pridie Idus Januarii, Anno Christianisr 
simi partus 1516. 

Dei gratia Wilhelmus Palatinus Reni 

superioris et inferioris, Bavariae Dux, &c 

VILHELMUS DUX BAVARIifi &C. 

per mcmum propriam* 

Illustrissimo Principi Domino 
Henrico Francis^ Angliseque 
Regi> inclito Domino et affini nostro 
plurimum observando. 



T 2 



276 ORIGINAL LETTERS* 



LETTER LXXIX. 

Margaret Queen of Scotland to Lord Dacre in an- 
swer to the charge that she had written to the 
French King Jar the return of the Duke ofAU 
bany ; acknowledging it and pleading her necessi- 
ties. A. D. 1520. 

[mS. COTTOX. CALIGULA B. IL (oL, 195. Orig. XKTnUELT IK QUEElf 

lfA&6AX£T*8 HAKD.] 



Mt lorde Dakare, I commend me hartly to you, 
and vit ze that I hafe resayred your vrytenn fre Jon 
Sympson your sarwand and onderstandyte it at length ; 
and vhare ze remember me m your vrytenn of my 
labor and dessyre made on to the Eynges Grace my 
brothar, and to my lorde Cardynall, and thyr Cownsal, 
apon sundery con^deradones to them declared, and spe- 
cyaly for the well and surtie of the Kyng my Son, and 
for the recoveryng of my autorite of thys Realme and 
Tutrixship of the Kyng my Soon, according to the test- 
ment of the Kyng my housband ; and that the Due of 
Albany than being in to Scotland shuld be removed in 
to Fraimce again, and not retoume in to Scotland; 
My lorde all that I dyd thayr I thout for the beste, 
as the Kynges Grace my brothar and hys Cownsel 
knawes ; for I trastyd that the Lordys of thys rawlme 



ORIGINAL L£TT£BS. S77 

and I shuld hafe agryed veil, and I to hafe broukyt 
pessably my nawn as thay are bownd to doo be thayr 
vry tenes and sellyes ; » and than thay myght not have 
no cause to excusse them to the dwke. Howbeit I am 
not the betterar, for I vasse never se ewel awhsuard nor 
obayd of my landyes as I am sen my last comyng in 
to Scotland, as I hafe ofton tymes vryten both to the 
Kyng my brothar, and to my lorde Cardynall, and 
You. Howbeit I gat ne remedy, and I dyd schaw you, 
my Lorde, in my vrytengs, that I dyd vryt to you 
vylke ze hafie, *> that and I gat not shortly helpe that I 
most doo what the Dwke and the Lordys of thys 
rawlme vhol hafe me to doo ; for I have nen here that 
vyl helpej me of my complaynt, nor doo me justys ; so 
that I may not lyf to my honowr ; and my lyfeng is 
here, I man cast me to plesse thys raulme ; allsvay, 
my Lorde, whare ze vryt to me to knaw gyfe I have 
send ony vryteng to the Kyng of France for the fur- 
dryng of the Dwke of Albany's comyng in to Scotland, 
my Lorde thayr whas a letar vryten in to Frence to 
the Kyng of France from me be the specyal dessyr of 
the Dwke and the Lordys, vysche I myght not deny ; 
for thay sayd it vas for the veel of the K3nig my Soon 
and his Rawlme; my Lorde I pray you remembyr 
that and ze var in a nothar Rawlme vhare ze schuld 
lyf your lyfe, ze vould doo, that ze myght to pies 
them soo that thay schuld not have eny mystrust of 

• writings and seals. *> which you have. 



278 ORIttlKAL LETTERS. 

you ; and soo most I, for and I schuld refws to have 
vryten vhan I vas desyrd, the Dwke and the Lordys 
vhold haf thowt that I had stopyd hys comyng, and 
thayr throw I myght get ewel ; and thus I trust my 
lord that the Kyngs Grace my brothar, and my lorde 
Cardynal, vyl remember as I stand in thys rawhne. 
And in laste vryteng that I hat from the Kyng my 
brother he ccnnmandyd that I schuld doo no thyng that 
the Lordys myght have ony ocassyon to complayne of 
me, vysche I trust I hafe don. My Lord I pray you 
to remembyr that I dyd vryt to you, I vas at syche a 
pownt that I most a layd my jwellys for fawt of mony, 
for I am not awnsuerd of no part of my lifeng; and 
had not bene the Cowntrowlar Robart Barton I had 
bene schamyd or now, for I haf not to fynd the ex- 
penssys of my hous, and I am as sobar as can be. 
And sopos it be ewel to me, it is dyshonor to the 
Kyngs Grace my brothar as veel as me. Bot the on- 
kyndnes that I fynde doth me more ewel nor ony thyng 
in the varld, for I see veil what pownt that ever it 
stand me on, I vyl get no helpe bot fayre voiurdys. 
My lord ze most pardon me that I vryt so scharpe, for 
it towchys me nere : and God kype you. At Edyn- 
browh the fowentyn day of Jwly 

your frend 

MAEGABET R. 

To my lord Dakre. 



ORIGINAL LETTEES. S79 , 



LETTER LXXX. 

Lord Thomas Dacre to Queen Margaret ; a Letter 
of reproof; sent to her by the Laird of Barrow, 
X 2). 1621. 

[ms. cotton, calig. b. VI. foL 229. b.] 

*«* The boldness of Lord Thomas Dacre in the Affairs of Scotland 
has been mentioned in the former Series of these Letters. The reader is 
now to see him in the character of a man chaining his' Sovereign's 
sister with misconduct toward her husband ; and reminding her ^^ what 
dishonorable bruits were spoken of Her Grace in Scotland." 



Madame, in most lauly wise I recommende me unto 
your Grace. And where as by my writing sent unto 
youe by my servant William Hathrington, I advertised 
your Grace of the King my Soverain, your broders, 
high pleasure, th^efiecte wherof was that his Highnes is 
righte sory that your Grace is not aimswered of your 
dueties according as it is paste in contracte betwixt his 
Highnes and the King your Son and his Counseill, not 
doubting (if ye lose not your owne matier youre self) 
but ye shalbe by meanes of his Grace recompensed of 
your hool dueties with th^arreragies. Wherunto your 
Grace made none aunswere but only by worde of 
mouthe, which was right , displeasaunt to his said 
Highnes. Wherefore at this tyme I sende unto your 



280 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

Grace my servaunt the lard of Barrow this barer, 
whome I know ye truste, and is an old servaunt of 
yours, whom I have ordeigned to declare unto your 
Grace certein credence, beseching your Grace to geve 
unto hym favorable audience, and as ferm credence 
as ye wold do unto my self. For, upon my con- 
science, I wold be as glad to do unto your Grace 
pleasure and service as any subject that my said 
Soverain your broder hath within this his reame, as 
knoweth the holy Trinite &c. At Harbottell the yj^ 
daye of Marche. 

Instructions yeven by Thomas lord of Dacre 
to his trusty and welbiloved strvaunt the lard of 
Berrowjbr his remembraunce^ to be shewed and 
declared unto the Queues Grace of Scotland. At 
Harbotell the vjth day of Marche. 

Furste ye shall shew unto her Grace, that inasmoche 
as it is appointed and agreed that certein gret^ per- 
sonnages shall cum up in ambassade from the Kinges 
Grace her son, autorizate by consente of the thre 
estates of his Realme, to comune, treate, and conclude 
of good peax, or of further prorogation of the treux, 
it is thought good by the Einges Highnes my Sove- 
rain, her broder, that her Grace shew and declare in 
what things as she is greved, as well of her disobey- 
saunce as of the arreragies of conjunctefee to that 



ORIGINAL LETTEES. ^1 

purpose, or any conclusion be had of the peax, that 
her Grace may be provided fore and aunswered 
according to suche promisse and contracte as were 
made unto her Grace (at her laste entre into Scot- 
land) betwixt the king my said Soverain and the 
King her son under his great Seal, by consent of the 
Due of Albany and of the thre estates of his realme of 
Scotland. 

Item ye shall shewe unto her Grace that the said 
Due of Albany holdes her with fare wordes under 
color ; and by dissimulation causeth her Grace to be 
aunswered of a parte of her dueties, to that purpose 
that she shuld not lay it unto his charge that her 
Grace is not answered of her said dueties, forbicau^e 
tl^t his hand (as tutor) is set to the Book of Con- 
tracte of her laste entre into Scotlande, made under 
the grete Seal, that her Grace shuld be obeyd and 
aunswered of her conjunctefee, and restored to all her 
bagges, jewelles, and moveable goodes to her Grace 
apperteign)mge. 

Item ye shall shew unto her Grace, that it is 
thought that the said Due of Albany, under color, 
holdethe her with fare wprdes and promisses, wherby 
that her Grace shuld not be provided fore in this new 
Peax if it fortune to be taken, and what perill and jeo- 
pardie it is to her if her Grace shuld not be provided 
fore in this said Peax, I refer that to her discretion. 
And also the said Due chalengethe the iiij^ parte of 



982 ORIGINAL LSTTEB8. 

her cQDJdnctefee to be his enheritaunce, that is to say 
th^Erldome of Marche, and is reabled ^ to the same by 
actc of parliament, wherof his fader was atteynted ; 
which may be well knowne unto her Grace if she woll 
not be blynded. 

Item ye shall shew imto her Grace that it is 
thought marvellous that she shuld here so grete favor 
unto the Due of Albany seing her Grace is requeste 
made unto the king my Soveraigne lord, and labour 
made to my lord Cardinalles Grace to move his 
Highnes, that the said Due shuld not cum into Scot- 
land, aswell for the suretie of the king her sonne as of 
herself; seing the subdein departure of the prince 
her son, and that incontinently after the said Due 
proclctymed hymselfe Prince of Scotland; and that 
also the said Dukes fader tooke upon hym and usurped 
to be king ageinst his elder broder, being King, and 
in the tyme of his usiuping made diverse knightes. 

Item ye shall shew unto her Grace, that I doubt, 
not but it is in her remembraunce that the King her 
husband (whose soule god pardon) in his tyme wold 
never take the said Due as Due of Albany, forbicause 
of the pretense that his fader made to the Crowne of 
Scotland. 

Item ye shall shew unto her Grace that it is cumyn 
to the knowlege of the King my said Soverain, that 
her Grace is departed from my Lord of Angus her 

» rc-abled. ' ■» 



OBian^AL LBfTERS. 288 

husband, contrary to all good order and di'aggreament 
made betwixt her and my said lord by the good and 
vertuous fader firer Henry Chadworth ; and also the 
comune brute rynnethe that her Grace departed from 
Edinbrugh by night, and there was met without the 
Towne by Sir James Hamylton being dedely enmy 
to my said lord of Angus and by hym conveyd to 
Lithgow. 

Item ye shall shew unto her Grace, that it standeth 
not with her honor to leve her husband by counseill 
of any man, and as it is thought by counseill of the 
said Due of Albany, geveing her Grace faire wordes 
and promisses, under color wherof her Grace woll be 
deceived at liength, which peraventure woll shortely 
appeare, and then it woll be hard to be amended. 

Item ye shall say imto her Grace to call unto her 
remembraunce how the King my late Soverain Lord 
her fader of noble memory (whose soule god pardon), 
mailed her Grace into Scotland for that purpose to 
have a perpetuall Peas, and that the issue of her bodie 
shuld be King of that realme, wherby and bireason of 
the nerenes and proximitie of blood betwixt my said 
Soverain that now is, and her said issue, a perpetuall 
peax shuld grow : and now to leane to that counseill 
that by all liklihode is not good and prouiBtable for 
the continewance of the same, what hurte and reproche 
shall cum of therof I refer to the wisdome and discre- 
tion of her Grace. 



984 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

Item ye shall shew unto her Grace, the keping that 
the King her son is in is right susspectious, seing that 
her Grace cannot cum at hym but with a few persons 
with her : and that his perscHi alonly is in the keping 
of the said Due, except that every quarter ones there 
cometh a Lord to have the name therof : and aswell 
his Scholemaister, as all other persons that ar officers 
about hym, ar of the said dukes appointeing, and not 
of the Lord is that b above ^ hym which attendeth his 
quarter. 

Item ye shall say unto her Grace, to call unto her 
remembraunce of wherof she is cumyn, and of what 
Howse, and that there is few Scotts men that woll 
yeve unto her fruitefull counseill, but onely for their 
singulare weal and pruffit ; wherfore, good it. were to 
take summe regarde to suche as be naturally borne to 
geve her Grace good counseill, and to lye all dissimu- 
lation aparte, and to remembre what dishonomble 
brutes ar spoken of her Grace in Scotland, in the 
leving of her said husband and folowing the advise of 
suche as finally may, and of liklihode shalbe her de- 
struction, bothe in fame and oiherzvisey which cannot 
stonde with the pleasure of Grod nor with the King 

my said Soverain's honor. 

Item, finally ye shall shew unto her Grace that in 
thus ordering herself in the premisses, neither regard- 
ing her owne honor, the suretie of the King her son, 

• t. e. over. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 285 

ne yet of her said husband or of her self, her Grace 
may not loke for any favor at the King my said Sove- 
raines hand ; for it is thought she is sore abused under 
color of fare promises whiche be but illusions; and 
finally shall bring her Grace in the displeasure of God 
to her dishonor and undoing at liength. 



There are other Papers in the Scottish Correspondence, which speak 
in terms still plainer of Margaret^s infidelity. 

In the Instructions and Commission for my lord of Dunkeld to 
be shown to the King^s Grace of England on behalf of the Earl of Angus 
his kin and friends, (MS. Cotton. Calig. B. yi. foL 204 b.) we find 

*^ Alsua we think and knowis by Experience that the Quene by evill 
and senistre counseill is mekOl inclinet to the pleasure of the Duke in al 
maner of thingis ; and ar never sundrie, but erery day to gidre owther 
forrowe nowe * or aftre, and, as it is supposed, he is indendit a divorse be* 
twix the Erie of Angus and the Quene.*' 

In the opinion upon these instructions, '' under the correction of the 
King's Highness " given by L'o&D Dacre and signed hy Aim, he says, 

^' As unto the fourth article, it is of trough as I am credeably enformed 
by myn Espials which I have ther. And moreover the said Quene has 
caused laubor be made by diverse persons to th^Erle of Angus to be con- 
tent with a divorce ; and he shall have for his good will therunto the fo- 
rest of Etrik, parcel of the Comuntt fee, which is to the value of xij C. 
marcs Scotts by yere. And I, heryng herof, has shewed to the said Erie 
such persuasions that I have him bodely sworn upon the holy Evangelists 
that he shall never consent thereunto without my advise. 

'' As unto the fifth article, it is trough as it is allegied by the said 
Lords, as I know by myn Espiall : and over that ther is merveillous 
grete Intelligence betwene her and the Duke aswele all the day as miche 
of the night. And in maner they sett not by who knowe it And if I 
durst say it for fere of displeasure of my Soverain, they ar over 
tekdre ; wherof if your Grace examyn the busshop of Dunkeld of his 
consdens, I trust it will shew the troughe.' 

• before noon. 



f» 



986 ORIGINAL LKTTERS. 



LETTER LXXXI. 

Ricliard Pace to Cardinal Wolsey^ concerning a 
new Book of Martin Luther ^ and the King's zed 
against LtUher. 

[m8. cotton, vitell. b. IV. foL 96. Orig.\ 



Pleas itt your Grace at myne arivall to the Kynge 
this momynge, I founde hym lokynge uppon a boke 
of Luthers, and hys Grace schewde unto me . that it 
was a newe werke oflF the sayde Luthers. I lokydde 
uppon the title theroff and perceived hi the same that 
itt is the same Boke put into prjnite, whyche your 
Grace sende unto hym by me wret3ni. And upon 
suche disprayse as Hys Grace dydde yeve imto the 
sayde boke I delivrydde the Popis BuUe and hys 
BryfFe broght in my charge opportune, and with the 
whyche the Kynge was well contentidde : here, at 
lenght schewynge unto me that it was verraye joyose 
to have thys tydyngis from the Popis Holynesse at 
suche tyme as he had takyn uppon hym the defynce 
off Christis Churche wyth his penne, affore the re- 
cepte of the sayde tydyngis ; and that he wull make 

an ende off hys boke wy thin thiese apd 

desyrynge your Grace to provide that wythinne the 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 287 

same space all suche as be appoyntide to examine 
Luthers boks maye be congregated to gedre ffor 
hys Hynesse percevynge : and bi suche thyngis and I 
dedlarydde unto hym be the Popis bryflfe that thys 
matier requirithe hasty expedicion, wuU take the more 
pa3nie for to make an ende therin the soner, and is 
condescendydde and agreable to every thjmge de- 
syrydde by your Grace ; that is to saye to wry te hys 
lettres to th'Emperor and the Princes Electors, and to 
sende also suche a person with the same as schalbe 
seen most meate for that purpose ; and to sende hys 
Boke not oonly to Rome, but also into Fraunce and 
othre nacions as schall appere convenient. So that all 
the Churche is more bounde to thys goodde and ver- 
tuxe Prince for the vehement zele he berith unto the 
same, than I can expresse. 

As touchinge the sayde Bryffe hys Grace is sin- 
gularely well contentidde therwyth, and rede itt every 
worde at hys secunde masse tyme, and aftre dyner 
schewede the same unto my Lordes off Canturburye 
and Duresme wyth greate prayse and laude theroff. 
As to the sayde Bulle hys Grace schewede hym selfe 
verraye well contentidde wyth the cummynge off the 
same ; howebeitt as touchynge the publication theroff 
he sayde he wolde have itt well examinydde and di- 
ligently lokyd to a ffore itt were publyschydde. 
Hereunto I answered sayynge that your Grace, my 
lorde off Canturburie, my lorde off Duresme, wyth 



S88 ORIGINAL LETT£Ra. 

othres by your Grace appoyntidde, schulde accom- 
plysche hys mynde therin, and that your Grace wold 
nott publyshe the same unto suche tyme that ye 
hadde made hys Highnesse priveye therunto. My 
lorde of Duresme wolde have cumm3ni unto your 
Grace, but the K3mge wolde not suffer hym so to 
doo, but commaundydde hym to tarry here for 
th'^examinacion off certayne things off Bukkynghams 
servantes. My sayde Lorde sendith unto your Grace 
a Lettre wretyn bi the Kynges commaundment to 
suche as schall see to the .... ^ of the sayde Duks 
house durynge hys a ^ 

And thus Jesu preserve your Grace m longe and 
continuall prosperitie. Wretyn at Grenwiche thys 
xvj off Aprile by your Graces most humble faythfull 
servant. 

Syr Richarde Weston signifieth unto your Grace 
that the Kynge doith well approve suche things as 
you communydde wyth hym thys mom3nige. 

•charge? k/. absaioe. 



- 0BI6INAL LETTERS. %9 



LETTER LXXXII. 

Sir Thomas More to Cardinal Wolsey, upon the 

Affairs of Scotland. 

[ms. cotton, calig. b. VII. fol. 67. Or%g.\ 



Hit may lyke your good Grace to be advertised 
that I have presented and redde un to the King^s 
Grace your honorable Lettres directed un to myselfe 
and written the xvij^^ day of September, wherby his 
Highness very greatly rejoyced the valiaunt acquytaill 
and prosperouse successe of th'^erlis of Anguish and 
Arren against theire enemyes and the disturbours of 
the peace and quiet of Scotland, dayly devising such 
entreprises es shold if they mought have obta3nied 
theire entent and purpose have extended in conclusion 
to the great parell and jubardy *^ of the young Prince 
his Nephieu, not without sum busignes and inquiete- 
nes also to this Realme. Wherfore his Highnes mych 
approveth your Grace'^s mobst prudent device con- 
cemyng the said erUs, to be entreteyned with sum 
good advise and counsaile to be geven un to theym 
for such good, vertuouse, and politique order to be 
taken and used by theym for the good bringing uppe 

' jeopardy. 
VOL. I. SER. 2. V 



S90 OftieiNAL LETTSBS. 

of the yonge King to the weale and suertie of his 
noble persone and commodite of his Reahne, that he 
and his reahne may herafter be glad and dayly more 
and more delite and rejoice in theire late good chaunce 
and victorie agaynst theym that late were assembled 
agaynst their King present in the feld. And the 
King^s Highnes thinketh that sith the said Erlis have 
now sufficient open profe that the archbishop of Saint 
Andrewis putteth all his possible power to procure 
their destruction, and to rere brcnlerie, warre, and re- 
volution in the Realme to the no little perell of the 
yong King theire maister, it were good that they were 
advised in this their victorie so substantially to pro- 
vide for the saufgard of their King and themselfs, by 
th'*effectuall repressing of theire adversaries, that the 
said Archebisshoppe and his adherents in eny tyme to 
cum shold not be able either by craftie practises to 
deceive theym, or open rebellion to distresse theym ; 
but without eny trust or credence to be geven to the 
blandishing of the said Archbishoppe which this ad- 
verse chaunce shall peradventure dreve hym to use 
for the while, with purpose and entent of revenging 
whan he may fynde occasion, they provide and se so 
substantiall ordre taken for the surtie of the King, the 
Realme, and theymself, that none evil wede have pow^ 
to spring uppe to high. And thus mych the King^s 
Highnes hath commaunded me to wright un to vour 
good Grace concemyng this mater, geving to your 



ORTGINAL LETTERS. 991 

Grace his moost aifectuouse thanks for your diligent 
advertisement of those good tidings^ with your labor 
taken in the Lettre by your Grace devised in his 
name to the Chauncellor of Poile. His Highnes also 
thinketh that it were neither honorable to his Grace 
nor to the French King that th^Emperors embassiators 
shold be detaigned in Fraunce : and it semeth to me 
that the Kings Grace somwhat dowteth whither he be 
there deteigned agaynst his will or not : but his Grace 
greatly alloweth, and thanketh Yours in the solliciting 
of his enlarging. I remitt unto your Grace the Let- 
tres of M**. Magnus and Sir Christofer Dacre; and 
shall in lyke wise send un to your Grace the Lettre 
to the Chauncellor of Poile as sone as the Kings Grace 
shall have signed it. As knoweth our Lord, whose 
goodnes long preserve your good Grace in {»x)sperouse 
helth and honor. At Stony Stratford the xxj. day of 
Septembre. 

Youir Grace's humble Orator and 

moost bounden bedeman 

THOMAS MORE. 



u2 



StSSt OmiGIKAL LCTTsms; 



LETTER LXXXIII. 

Sir TTiomas More to Cardinal Wokey^ chiefly detaU- 
ing the transaction ofbitsiness with the King, 

[ms. cottov. oalba. b. VI. foL 210. OrigJ] 



Hit may lyke your good Grace to be advertised 
that yesterday in the momjrng I received from your 
Grace your honorable Lettres wrytten un to myselfe 
dated the xix^^ day of this present moneth, and with 
the same as the lettres of congratulation, with the 
minute of a Lettre to be wrytten with the Kings owne 
hand to th^Emperor, and th^instructions to the Kings 
Ambassador there, as also those Lettres which your 
Grace received from Maister Secretary, with the Let^ 
tres by your Grace also devised for the expedition of 
the Gentlemen of Spruce :» which things with dili- 
gence I presented furthwith unto the Ejngs Grace 
the same momyng, and to th^entent that his Grace 
shold the more perfaitely perceive what weighty things 
they were that your Grace had at that tyme sent un 
to hym, and what diligence was requisite in th^expe- 
dicion of the same, I redde unto his Grace the Lettres 
which it lyked your Grace to wryte to me. In which 

• Prussia. 



ORIGINAL L£TT£R8. S93 

it mych lyked his Grace that your Grace so well 
alowed and approved his opinion concemyng th'over- 
tures made by the French King un to th'Emperor. 
After your Grace's said Xettre redde, when he saw 
of your Grace's own hand that I shold .diligently sol- 
licite th'expedicion of those other things, for as mych 
as your Grace entended and gladly wold dispatch the 
premisses this present Soneday, his Grace lawghed, 
and saied " Nay by my fay th that will not be, for this 
is my removing day sone at New Hall. I will rede 
the remanaunt at Night.*" Wheruppon after that his 
Grace was cummen home hither and had dyned, 
beyng vj. of the clokke in the nyght, I oflFred myselfe 
agayn to his Grace in his owne chambre, at which 
tyme he was content to signe the Lettres to th'Em- 
peror, and th'other Lettres for tVexpedicion of the 
gentilmen of Spreuce, putting over all the remanaunt 
.... day in the momyng. Wheruppon at my part- 
ing from his Grace yistemyght I received from your 
Gra€e a Lettre addressed unto him, with which X 
furthwith retomed unto his Grace in the Queny's 
chambre, where his Grace redde openly my lord Ad- 
miralls Lettre to the Queny's Grace, which marvel- 
ously rejoiced in the good newis, and specially in that 
that the Erench Kyng shold be now toward a tutor, 
and his realme to have a governor : in the communi- 
cation wherof, which lasted abowt one howre, the 
Kings Grace saied that he trusted in God to be theyre 



894 OKIGIVAL LKTTKRB. 

governor hym aelfe, and that they shold by thys 
meanys make a way for hym as King Richard did for 
his father. I pray God if hit be good for his Grace, 
and fcN- this reahne, that than it may preve so, and 
ellis, in the stede therof I pray God send his Grace 
one honorable and profitable peace. 

This day in the momyng I redde unto his Grace 
as well th'^instructions moost politiquely and moste 
prudently devised by your Grace and therto moost 
eloquently expressed, as all the lettres of M^ Se- 
cretary sent unto your Grace; to whom as well for 
your spedy advertisement in the tone, as for your 
great labor and payn taken in the tother his Grace 
geveth his moost hartie thanks. In the reding of 
th** instruction among thMncommoditees that your 
Grace there most prudently remembreth, if th'Em- 
peror shold leve the stat of Myllayn up to the French 
King, the Ejng^s Grace saied that th^Emperor shold 
bysidis all those incommoditees sustayn a nother 
great dammage, that is to witt the losse of all his 
frendis and favorers in Italy without recovery for evar, 
which shold be fayn to fall hooly to the French K3aig ; 
uttrely dispayring that ever th'Emperor leving the 
Duchie when he bad it, wold after labor therefore 
whan he had lefte hit. Which consideration his Grace 
wold have planted in to tVinstructions with his awne 
hand, saving that he saied your Grace could, and so 
he requyreth you to do, bettre furnish hit, and sett hit 



O&IGTNAL LETTERS. 295 

forth. As towching M**. Secretary's lettres. his Grace 
thinketh as your Grace moost prudently wryteth, that 
they do but seke delayes till they may se how the 
world is: wherein he mych alloweth your most pru- 
dent opinion that they shold be with good rownd 
wordis to theire embassador, and other quykke wayes, 
prykked forth. And for as mych as your Grace toch- 
eth an-ordre that no Venicians shold be sufired to 
shipp eny of theyr goods owt of the realme, and that 
it is now schewed un to his Grace that one Deodo a 
Venician is abowt toshipp gods, pretendyng hymselfe 
to be denison ; which his pretei\ce, whither it be trew 
or not his Grace knoweth not ; and also thinketh that 
he shall under the colour of his owne send owt of the 
realme the goods of others his cuntremen; .for which 
causis his Grace requyreth yours to have a respect 
therto and cause hit to be ordered as to your Graces 
wisedom shall seme expedient. For as mych as the 
Engs Grace hath not yit written of his awne hand 
the minute to th'Emperor which I delivered his Grace 
in thys momyng, therfore I suppose that this lettre 
wrytten this present Soneday the xxj. day of Septem- 
bre in the nyght can not be delivered to the Post till 

to morow abowt As knoweth our Lord who 

long preserve your Grace in honor and helth. 
Your humble orator and moste bounden 

beedman 

THOMAS MORE. 

To ray Lord Legato good Grace. 



296 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 



LETTER LXXXIV. 

Margaret Archduchess of Savoy to Dr. Knigkty the 
English Ambassador at Iter Court, announcing the 
news of the Victory qfPavia, 

[ms. cotton, oalba. b. viu. foL 107* Orxg,\ 

•^* The Victory of Pavia was the subject of two Letten in the 
fomier Series of this Work. But the Editor feels that he did not entirely 
dispose of his subject ; an event so very memorable has something of a 
claim upon the reader's recurrence. 

D^ Augustin who had been Wolsey's, and was afterwards the King's 
physician, visited Pavia in 1532, in company with Mons'. de Velly the 
French King's ambassador, purposely to ^^ see and view the places where 
the French King was taken ; which places" he sajrs, '^ bee so defect and 
devastate, that they do represent rather war and battaill at this time pie- 
sent, then at any time passed." 

The following was the Note by which the News of the Victory was 
announced by Margaret archduchess of Savoy, the aunt of Charles the 
Fifth, to the English Ambassador at her C!ourt. 



Mons'. L^Ambassadeur 
Nous avons ce matin, ung peu avant notre disner, 
receu les meillieurs nouvelles du monde d'Ytalie, as- 
savoir comment il a pleu a Dieu donner a FArmee de 
TEmpereur victorie de ses ennemys, et que le Roy de 
France est prisonnier, xiiij M. de ses gens tuez a la 
bataille, et tout le surplus deffaict et prins sans quil 
en soit nidz eschappez. Et vous cuydant icelles com- 
muniquer a vous envoie en vostre logis duquel escits 



ORIGINAL LEtTERS. 297 

naguieres party pour malvies comme Ton nous a dit 
ou nous cuydions aussi aller, mais ces nouvelles nous 
en ont retarde pour ce jotir. Et combien que presup- 
posons desia en soies averty neantnien si bons en avons 
nous bien vouUu escripre ces deux motz. Et demain 
que nous trouverons aud' Malines vous dirons le sur- 
plus vous avertissant que nonobstant que deux gentil- 
hoinmes Tung de Mons**. TArchiduc mon neveur, et 
Tautre du Due de Milan soient passez en diligence en 
Angleterre pour en avertir le Roy. Si en avons nous 
aussi escript a noz ambassadetirs pour en avertir le dit 
S^ Roy et Mons^. le Legat. Etant a Mons*". I'Am- 
bassadetir notre S**. soit garde de vous. De Bruxelles 
ce vje, de Mars M. V. xxiiij. 



MARGUERITE. 



Nous ne partirons jusques apres 
deroein d'icy affin de demein rendre 
graces et louanges a Dieu de ces 
bonnes nouvellis. 



LETTER LXXXV. 

Sir John RusseU to King Henry the Eighth^ on the 
Duke of BourbovCs disposition; with Jurther partis 
culars of the Emperor'^s Victory. 

[ms. cotton, vitell. b. vii. foL 77. Orig.^ 



Pleasith your Highnes to understande that I 
. . . . from my lorde Cardinall wherin was 

a «c. en attendaut. 



898 OftlOIKAL LETTERS. 

mentioned that your Highnes pleasure was that I 
shuld repaire unto the Duck of Bourbon, to th'^entent 
that I shuld advertise your Hignes and his Grace how 
al the affaircH here doth succede. I had ben here 
^ith the said Ducke longe since, but that the Ducke 
of Albany who pretended to go to Naples lay in my 
way, and his conijiany sparckled thereaboutes, so that 
I could not passe. Nevertheless whan I herde that 
the battail was geven, I in dil . . .by post did re- 
paire hither, thinking yt necessaire oone ... he 
nere the saied Ducke at this tyme. I finde hym 
femiely prefixed to follow his interprise against the 
Frenche King, and never better willing ; saying that 
if your Highnes woU, he woll sett the crowne of 
Fraunce on your hed, and that shortly; and that 
there may more be doon now with a hundreth thow- 
sande crownes, for th'' optaining of that, than before 
might have ben. doon with five hundreth thowsande; 
by cause the King with the most part of all the 
nobles and captajmes of Fraunce be taken and slayne. 
Wherefore his desier is that yt wol pisdse your High- 
nes to fomish payment for twelve thowsande fotemen 
and five hundreth men of Armes for too monnethes, 
which amounteth unto too hundreth thowsand crownes : 
and he hym self wol fomish the saied Army of pay- 
ment . . one moneth at his being in Fraunce. 
With which company he woU repaire and passe to 
and thorough Dolfine . . . that by Scavoye and 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. S99 

Bourgoigne he can nor may carry none Artillery out 
of Italye. If your Highnes please that he marche in 
to Fraunce, he sayeth he wol trust to your Highnes 
and to no man elles, for if contributions be made to 
be paied by the Viceroy or others in those parties^ 
he sayeth thei woll handle hym as thei did at his 
being in Provence. And rather than he wold take 
and sufire suche dishonor as he did there, he had lever 
be dede. Notwithstanding, he sayeth, he woll observe 
and kepe all suche promessis as he hath made to your 
Highnes and to the Emperor, to the uttermost of his 
powear. In case he wold pass by Bourgoigne, he 
wotteth not how to have artillery to follow and mayn- 
tainehis saied interprise, oneles your Highnes might so 
deale with th' Arscheduke that he wold be contented 
to let hym have artillery with monytion in a towne 
called Brisack, within the countie Ferrat, where he 
hath good store, if he graunte thereunto. Men must 
be levyed there for the conveyance of the same in to 
Bourgoigne. Wherefore Mons^ de Bourbon sayeth 
that good yt were your Highnes shuld demaunde of 
th'Emperor to have certaine pieces of the artillery here 
won of the Frenchemen, which is in good redines 
alredy ; and so to passe with the same thorough Dol- 
fine. Yf yt please your Highnes this be doon, he 
pretendith to have those men with hym which alredy 
hath betjm the Frenchemen, and rekening the same 
a greate advaimtaige for they be greatly drede in 



800 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

Fraunce, he desiereth to know where and to what 
parties your Highnes wol repaire with your Army, to 
th"* entent that if case requere he may joyne with you; 
and thinkith that youre owne per^n shall doo muche 
in this affaire. Further M(»is^. de Bourbon sayeth 
that in this case diligence wold be used ; ccmsidering 
the late overthrow that the Frenchemen hath had here 
in Ytalye, and that also they in Fraunce cannot so 
shortly be provided to resiste again ther ennemys ; for 
whan the too Armes be there, they shall have no laisor 
to make no provision, and also they be very evill pro- 
vided of good capitaines. 

The Emperor thought to have come and assailed 
the Frenche King his camp in the momyng betymes, 
every of them having a white shert upon his hamoiz : 
whereof or y t wer midnight, the said Frenche king was 
advertised, and so camp ^ owt of his camp in to the 
playne filde and ordayned his battle the same night. 
So that wheere the Emperors thought to .have set upon 
them being encamped, they founde them in array and 
goode ordre, marching towardes them, having wel 
for . . pieces of Artillery which did muche hurt. 
The French king layeth, now, fault in his Suyses, for 
that he hath . . ^ the battail ; saying that they did 
not ther part as they shuld have don. His Launce- 
knightes fought very well against ther owne nation on 
th** Emperors side. Richarde de la Poole was ther 

•came. ^not? 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. «S01 

capitaine, who was slayne there . . • also fewe of 
them scaped. Besides this of xiiij^. men of Armes 
whiche he had there, ther escaped not past iiij . » 
but wer taken and slayne. Yt is sayed here that ther 
was slayne in the felde twelve thowsande men, besides 
divers that werr drowned in the Tyzyn fleing, which 
be founde dayly, and of greate nomber. There was 
taken prisoners ten thowsande men, and the most part 
of them wer men of werr; and the other rascall,** 
to whome Mons^ de Bourbon hath gevyn passportes. 
And hath bounde the gentilmen, and the capitaines, 
by ther othes, that they shall make no werr nor bere 
hamoiz in Fraunce against no man this twelve 
monnethes; and the other men of werr for five 
monnethes; and the residue for thre monnethes. 
And as for the greate personages that be taken, 
yt is aigreed betwene Mons". de Bourbon, the 
Viceroy, and the Marques of Piscara, that none of 
them shalbe as yet put to no raunsome, nor until they 
know further of th' Emperors pleasure and. your 
Highnes in that behalf. Of th^ Emperors part there 
was not lost past xvC. men, or nere there aboutes. 
They geve Mons^. de Bourbon a greate praise, and 
sayeth that he did very mannely the same day. And 
that he was one of the causers that the saied battail 
was wonne ; for if he had not ben, there had ben no 
battail gevyn, but a treuse taken which shuld not have 

• iiijn ? >> oommon people. 



\ 



SOS ORIGIHAL LKTTBR8. 

ben nether honorable nor profitable to tV Emperor, 
to your Highnes, nor to hym. 

The saied Duke sayeth that now is the tyme, and 
that shortly your Highnes may if you accomplish the 
saied dukes demaunde before rehersed, optayne all 
your right and inheritaunce which the Frenche king 
hath ; and never so wel as now. He sayeth that he 
declareth not this for the recouvery of his owne there, 
but considerith weU that your Highnes may now have 
by peace some part of your right, and dowteth not but 
by the same peace he shalbe restored unto his. This 
notwithstanding, he thinketh yt best, seing that yt eo 
may be, to take and ynjoye asweil all as some. And 
this ofire that he maketh he sayeth it is onely to do 
your Highnes service and to helpe you to recouver 
your right in accomplisshing al suche promesses as he 
hath made unto yoiu* Highnes beforetyme. 

This hath ben as greate a VictcHy as hath ben sene 
this manny yeres ; for of all the nobles of Fraunce b6 
scaped no more but mons^ D^Alazon, and but a fewe 
Frenche men scaped besides them that werr within 
Myllan. The Spaniardes after the battail wonne pur- 
suyd and chased the Frenchemen almost a hundreth 
myles, killing and slaying them without mersi. 

I wold have writtin unto your Highnes or this 
tyme, but I tarry S*". Gr^orys* goyng, who doth 
optayne a sauf conduct to passe . . thorough 

> Sir Gregory Casalis. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 808 

Fraunoe on post with the Popes imbassadour, where- 
fore he shall the shortlyer be there. Notwithstanding 
for the more . . • ^ I do send a post unto your 
Highnes with the duplicate of these my said Lettres 
who goyth by Alemaignie, for fere lest S'. Gregoris 
sauf conduit shall not serve hym. I doo send your 
Highnes herein closed the names of the greate per- 
sonages with other capitaines that be . • and slayne 
as fer as is knowen yet. And thus God preserve 
yo^. Highnes, and send your Highenes good life and 
long. Writtin at Millan the xi ^^ day of merche 
your humble seibglet and servant 

J. RUSSELL. 

SSBBBBBBSSasasaSSSSBB 

LETTER LXXXVI. 

Richard Pace to Cardinal fVolsey^ wUh the News gf 
the French King's imprisonment at Pizzigitone ; 
The Dvke of Albany's motions ; Sfc, 

[m8. cottok. vitell. b. VII. £cL 83. Orig.] 



Please it your Grace, these ten dayes and ten 
nightes I have lyen in a contynuall fevir at the mercy 
of God. The same is nowe decreassyd, and the phe- 
sitions do put me in firme hope of my lif ; but I arae 
so over thrbwen and in feblyd, that thoughe I shall by 
the helpe of God recovre my helthe, yet I shall never 



• suiety ? 



304 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

be able to ryde up and downe as I have done in tyme 
past. In consideradon wherof, in moost humble & 
lowly maner I desire your Grace to obtayne licence of 
the Kinges Highnesse for me to reatoume home after 
800 long travayles & paynes by me sustaynyd in out- 
ward parties ; which I wolde not refuse also now to 
do, if it were to me possible. 

The Frenche king is conductyd into the Castel of 
Pizigatone, corny ttyd to the custodie of the Capitajme 
Alarcon a Spanyard, a verraye sadde man. He hatha 
with hym for the savegard of the s£ud king two hun- 
drethe men of armys and oon thowsand and . . iijC. 
fotemen Spaniardes. 

The duke of Albany goethe up & done, no man can 
tell whither. He drawithe towardes the Port of Civita 
Vech wherby it apperithe that he wull stele awaye by 
see into Province y . . . naye. Richard de la Pole 
as I understond was slayne at the battayle. Other 
occurrantes at this tyme I have none wurthy of lettres. 
But, Jhesu preserve your Grace in long helthe & con- 
tynuall prosperitie. 

Wrytyn at Venice the xij<^» daye of Marche. By 
your Graces humble and faythefuU servaunt 

RI. PACE. 



ORIGINAt tEJTERS. 80$ 



LETTER LXXXVII. 

Jokn Clerk y bishop qfBaihf to Cardinal WdUetfj upon 
the sta4e qf Italy an ejected by the Batik qfPavia. 

[MS. COTTOK. TITELLIUS B. YXI. fol, 84. Oriff.} 

*^ The reader need hardly be infbimied that the Pope at this tfane 
was Clement the Seventh ; who, previous to his taking the Papal Chair, 
had been known as the Cardinal de MedicL His Pontificate was through- 
out conducted by a feeble and vacillating policy. It was marked by two 
events not easily forgotten ; the sacking of Rome, and the abolition of 
the papal authority in England. 



Th£ Venetians and Florentyns seyng them selves 
nowe in the discretion of the Imperialles, whome they 
have nott beat intreatyd, be in a grett fear, and tiier- 
for they nott c»ily anne them selfe, butt also hathe 
bein vehemently in hande withe the Pope that he shold 
doo in lyke maner, and have m . • • a description off 
grett and highe matters with his Holjmes, as his Ho- 
lynes shei^id unto me • ... to take no mannys ryght 
frome hyme, butt to majHEitayn and defend ther own ; 
and that iff the Imperialls wold demand any thjmg off 
theym it myght boldlye be answeryd them, that they 
shold nothypg have. The effect is that the Pope, the 
Venetia;ns, the Florentyns, the Duke off Ferrare, the 
Signoryes off Senys, Luke,^ and Mantua, withe other 
mean powaris off Italye, shold make a Lygge^ for the 

• Lucca. *> League. 

VOL. I. SEB. 2. X 



S06 OKIGIKAL LETTERS. 

defence and libertys off Italye ; wherin they rek}m that 
the Duke off Mylan wold att lenghe, when tyme shold 
be, gladly enter, who as they rekon is nowe, and so 
is lyke for yeres to contjmewe, in no lesse captyvyte 
than the Frenche Kyng. Yt is rekonyd that amongst 
them, they shold make well ij thowsand spers, and 
XV thousand Swecis,^ and as many moo footmen off 
Italions as shold be thowght necessarye; wheiin 
ther cane as they say lake no nombyr, for to this 
purpose viz. for the liberation off Italye, wher as 
in any other occasion they may make on, in this oc- 
casion they shall make iij. In this discription it is 
dyvisyd, fyrst, as I sayd, to have the Duke off Mylan, 
who hathe in his handes the castell off Mylan and the 
castell of Cremona ; whiche be the thynges off most 
importance in that Duchie. The Pope shold be con- 
tentyd to surrender unto hyme the Cites off Parma 
and Pleasance, ^ and have as moche pention or cense <^ 
for the same as he now hathe. The Duke of Ferrare 
shall have his investiture in Modina and Regio, and 
paye therfor in redye monye . • . • • ducattes ; and it 
is ment that the Pope shold have the realme of Na- 
plis, whiche dowghtles will easly no • . be obtejrnyd. 
Theys thynges be heir divisyd by the Frenche fac- 
tion and the Venetians, and they have ben in hand 
withe the Pope very vehemently in this mater, shew- 
yng hyme that this is the verye way whiche he shold 

• Swisses. *> PlacenUa. « public ratew 



ORIGINAL LETTBR8. 907 

t:ake, bothe for his honor, surtye, and the libertye off 
Italye, whiche elles shall be totallye in subjection off 
Spanyardes, being barbarose and ounresonabyll, and as 
odybyll peopyll unto this nation as any cane be. 

At soche tyme as the Popis Holynes declaryd unto 
me this Dyvyse, I shewid His Holynes that I dyd nott 
dowght butt that off his great and highe wisdome, he 
dyd oonsyder ryght well that His Holjrnes was nott 
in any soche case that he shold nead to take onye 
soche waye for his surety, for seing that His Holynes 
had don nothyng but that myght be well justify ed, 
His Holjoiies should butt, qucmtum ad se attmety op^ 
time 9perare de Cesare: specially, that I knewe the 
Kynges Highnes wold nott suffire that his Hol}me8 
shold be in any maner off wise oncoragyd, as towchjmg 
the Venetians. I sayd his Holynes knew well e nowghe 
they had offendyd ; and ther offence was butt a monye 
mater, wherin his Holynes myght be a mean for 
the3nne; and, percase they wold nott be ordjryd, I 
sayd good reason wold his Holynes shold forsake them. 
And as towchyng this Discription and Dyvyse a fore 
sayd, albe it it semyd nowe to have a fayr face, and 
a semblance off good successe, as the maters now stood ; 
the Imperialles being so fare behynd hand withe the^r 
armye, and havyng so lytyll att this present tyme fcMP 
the ma)mtenance theroff; yet (I sayd) I dowghtyd 
nott butt that His Holynes did ryght well consydyr 
the manye fold inconveniences that might ensewe 

x2 



308 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

therebye : for albe it by this ways peraventur tlie 
army in Lombardye shold be att a staye, and in some 
agonye and perplexite for a season, yett ther shold be 
no dowght butt that the Emperor and other Princes 
wold never geve upe the mater soo, butt wold 
shortlye nott onlye restore this army, butt so renew 
and enforce the same, with the presence off ther own 
parsons yff neid should be, that iij. soche powares as 
Italye is shold nott be abuU to resist them : and per- 
case they shold resist, yet wher as His Holynes hathe, 
to his grett lawde, hetherto sowght peace, rest, and 
qwietnes betwen Cristen princes, specially heir in 
Italye, this shold be the ways to make for a long 
season, mor cruell and universall warre than was ever 
seyn : k> that the warres past shold nott be comparyd 
to the warres to come, for theys warres to come shold 
be universall off all Italye agaynst all the . • . 
besydes forthe, and fynally what shold chance it in 
Goddes hand, who being indifferent, (I sayd) th . . 
was no dowht what lykliod shold be for the . . • 
partye aga3mst the lesse. I showid His Holjrnes allso 
that percase, agaynst all lykliod, the powares of Italye, 
withe the helpe off his Holynes, shold be able to kepe 
the Emperor owt off Italye ; yett that shold be most 
for His Hcdynes is purpose, for His Holynes being 
exdudyd frome the helpe and poge of other Princes, 
shold nott, a mongst theys solfe same powares off Ita- 
lye, be in the best case ; and therapon putt his Holjmes 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 309 

in remembrance howe the Venetians hathe in tymys 
past encrochyd upon the londis of the Churche, with- 
bldjrnge &om the same by force the Cites of Imola and 
Ravenna and other in Romania, the duchies off Fer- 
rare, Modina, and Regio, the Bentivollis, Bononia, and 
heir bye the balions in Peruse, and in djrverse other 
Cites and Signoryes belongyng unto the Churche ; ne 
the Churche was never habyll to subdewe them, butt 
was.everincontjrnewall busynes, inqwietnes, and warre, 
unto soche tyme as other Princes layd to ther handes, 
by Pope Alexander is days, Julii is, and S3aist : and 
shewyd His Hol3aies that the Pope off Rome was never 
lyke a Pope tyll he had the concurrence off other 
Princes, wheroff whan so mevyr His Holynes shold be 
totally pryvyd, I sayd, ther was no dowght butt that 
shortly after ther shold be fownd manye ryght mean 
powars in Italy that wold plume his fethers, and nott 
sett a grott » by hyme ; specially the Venetians ; off 
whom His Holynes owght off all men to be ware, for 
ther powar shold gretly incresse by this ways; and 
by that that is passyd in other Popis days, men may 
easlye see what they will attempe agayn whan they 
shall see ther tyme. 

His Holynes sayd that he sawe the inconvenience 
that myght folowe by this ther Dyvise many maner 
off ways; and thankyd God who had putt hjnme in 
m3md nott to folowe the same. And so styll His 
Holynes perseverthe in mynd to enter whatt L^ gge ^ 

• groat. >> League. 



310 ORIGINAL LSTTESS^ 

80 mever shalbe thowght best to the Kynges Higfanes 
and the Emperore. 

Notwithstondyng my thowght, His Holynes dyd 
declar unto me the Discription and Dyvyse a fcnrsayd, 
to the intent I shold wryght unto your Grace what 
was prqponydy and wherunto His Holynes myght have 
Gonsentyd to the impechement off your affayres ; to 
the intent youe shold connc hyme the mor cause he so 
dyd nott. I thowght allso to advertysse your Grace 
heroff, to the intent that percase the Emperor nott 
nowe in this grett fortun and prosperyte know frome 
whens, after God, the sayd prosperyte and fortun 
commythe, and deall withe the Kynges Highnes in f ul- 
fyllyng his promesses acordynglye, your Grace shold 
knowe what is myndyd and intendyd heir in Italy and 
wherunto the Popis Holjmes myght easlye be browght. 
Your Grace apon the Emperors unkynd demeanor 
myndyng the same, assur3mg your Grace that in myn 
opinion ther is nothyng that staythe the Popis Holynes 
in the nott enteryng off this Lygge ^ off . . . butt 
onlye the hope and trust whiche he hathe in the 
K}mges Highnes to be mean that this Victory in every 
behalfe, concemyng the maters off Italye, shalbe mo- 
deratly usyd. 

As for the maters off France, it shold seim that his 
Holynes rekonythe not gretly howe youe determyn 
them^ it is trowghe that by way off dyvyse, His HcJy- 
ncs sayd unto me latlye, owt off purpose, tbeys wcHrdes 

• League. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 811 

exempli gra . . they . . . pro bono pads make 
the Frenche Kynges sone Kyng of France, and deputt 
hyme a portion as small as they wold : taking the rest 
as they cowd agree : so that by Hys Holjrnes meanyng, 
he wold have a Kyng in France sCyll, butt so plumyd 
that his cooportionars and other bis neighburs myght 
lyve in rest by hyme withowt charge ; and by this 
dyvisse Kyng Franceys shold end his myserabyll \jffe 
in capty vyte ; the whiche thyng His Holynes spake 
butt by the waje off dyvysse, showyng hyme selfe off 
nothyng more desyros than that theys cruell warrs 
myght shortlye, by on means or other, take some good 
end. 

I do comfort His Holjmes styll, all that I cane, 
that the Emperor wilbe nowe more att his devotion 
than ever he was : and that the Kynges Highnes and 
your Grace wilbe mean that it so shalbe. I ame 
allso mean betwen the Imperialles and His Holynes 
that they shall make demonstration unto His Holynes 
aoordynglye, shewyng them the jeopardys and incon- 
venientes that maye ensewe at this present tyme by 
ther contrary' demeanor. And I doo nott dowght butt 
your Grace will make demonstration in this case unto 
the Fopis Holynes, acordjmg to his good mynd ever 
borne towardes youe, and to the faythe and trust he 
hathe ever had in youe, the whiche demonstration 
showid in soche tymys as theys be, cannott be forgot* 
tynherafter. 

The Archibishope off Capua is retomyd hether 



312 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

agayn syns the conflict, and showid me that your Grace 
reputithe hyme a Frenche mane, and that that wold ye 
nott doo yff ye knewe how the Frenche men hathe 
evyll intreatyd hyme : and . . . hyme in France^ 
nott in prisone, butt a huntjmg . . . gaynst his 
unll ij. monythis : whiche he say the • • a pastyme 
wherunto he was never accustomyd in the cloyster, 
Yff your Grace wold witsaffe to wryght iij. wordes to 
the sayd Archibishope shewyng hyme, whatt so mever 
hathe ben wrytyn, yowe doo take hyme for the Kjuges 
faytlifull servant and your lovare, your Grace shold 
gretlye comfort hyme. The Datarye and he maye 
doo all : and therfor it shalbe well don to entertayn 
hyme, for the Popis nuntio ther wrytythe styll manye 
mad maters : and of every word your Grace spekythe, 
makythe tcmguam ex musca elephantem. Iff orators 
wold they myght apon lyke occasion fyll nowe and 
then papyr lefis : I for my part thynke it nott neces- 
sarye : and to saye the trowgh I have no grett occasion 
so to doo. The Popis Holynes was ons determjrnyd 
to have sent the Datary to the Emperore, and the. 
Bishope off Worcettor to the Kynges Hyghnes, butt 
syns his mynd is changyd, and determynyd to send to 
neyther, unto soche tyme as his Hol)mes shalbe reso- 
lutlye determynyd what he wyll do apon eveiy par- 
ticulare poynt.^ Which thjoig he say the he cannott 
well doo, tyll he shall have word a gajrn frome the 
Emperor; that don, he wyll send unto bothe reso- 
lutlye and perfectlye instructyd parsons. My lord off 



OKieiNAL LETTERS. 313 

Worcettor was on his jomey as fare as Bononye befor 
he was contremaiidyd. I have obta}myd hyme lycens, 
att his des3rre5 to goo see the Eynges Highnes, your 
Grace, and his bishopriche,^ in hope that he will doo 
as myche for me att his commyng unto your Grace : 
and so he goy the forthe in his jomaye fayr and soft- 
lye, and nott makyng speid, for he hathe no com- 
mission as yett. 

The Duke of Albany e hathe ben e vyll handelyd heir 
a mongst the CoUonysys, who hathe had manye skyr- 
moshys withe hyme, and causyd hyme to flye frome 
place to place, and moche a doo he hathe had to scape ; 
part off his men war drevyn hard to Rome gattes, and 
dayn ij.C. off them within a myll off the town, and 
many folowd and persewyd in to Rome hard to the 
Popis palace, and off them takyn prisonars within a 
stony s cast off the same palayce ; wherat the Pope was 
very evyll discontentyd. And I assure your Grace, 
had it nott been, that the Pope hathe respect, by cause 
he is within the londis off the Churche by the Popis 
sufferance, and in a maner withe saffe conducte and 
promesse off saffe go}mge and comm}mg as the Em- 
perors men hathe, I thynke he had bein the Kynges 
Highnes prisoner this daye. Wherin I have sparyd 
no labors ne • . . . tion, ne other settyng for- 
wardes as well to the Popis Holynes ; showyng imto 
his Holynes that he sh ... so gretlye pondyr the 

» Jerome de Ghinuoet had the temporaUtie&of the See of Worcester granted to hiA 
Feb. 20th« 1S2S. He was deprived in 1S84. Lc Neve» Fasti Eod. AngL p. 896. 



814 OmiOINAL |.STTS»S. 

duke of Albanye, who nowe, • • • the maters off 
JFnmce being in dekaye, was nott be takjn but as an 
abject parson : as allso . • . the Colonysis offer* 
yng them larg sommys off monye yff they ddyyerd 
byme me. And I assure your Grrace they have som- 
whatt vexid hyme and his men, butt the Pope thynk- 
ythe he cane doo no lesse than helpe to save the Duke 
for the cause a bowe sayd, by cause he maryd his 
kyil^wdnian ;^ and so the sayd duke by the Popis 
meanys, hathe lycencyd his footmen and manye off his 
men off armys. . . . rest shall take shippjmg att 
Civita Vetula her, and so jn to France, yff the Em- 
perors armye at Jean, beynge wamyd theroff, do nott 
stope hjme by the waye. The sayd Duke is bare off 
monye ; he sent hether latly to borowe on C. ducattes 
off a freind off his, and q)ed nott. Thus owr lord 
be thankyd, the Kjrnges enn3rmys on every syde be 
punyshed ; a dommojactum eH igtudj ei est mirabiie 
in ocidis fwstris. 

At this present tyme I come frome the Pope, wher 
I lemyd nothyng butt that his Holjmes shold have 
advise (howbeit off no certentye) that Madame the 
Prenche Kynges mother, is determynyd to goo her 
selfe to the Emperore ; partlye to move, as mother, the 
more pyte in her sonnys calamyte ; partlye by cause 
she thynkythe her selfe most best sky 11yd to handyll 
and treatt this mater with the Emperor. His Holynes 

* John Duke of Albany married Anne de la Tour, eldest daughter of John de la 
Tour Comte d'Auveigne. Her alster Madeleine de la Tout manied Loicnio de 
Medld, duke of Urbioo. 



*t^ 



ORIGINAL LSTTSBS. 815 

sayd, that he thowgbt the mater had neid off other 
helpe, than off womens tearis. This the almyghty 
god preserve your Grace. Att Rome the & daye 
off Marche. 

Post scripta. 

At this present howir I have receyvyd your Grace is 
Lettres off the xxiiij off Februarii, eoncanyng particu- 
lar maters off certayn prelattes of Scotlond, wherin I 
shall speke withe the Popis Holynes; and procure 
withe diligence, that they maye have ther full intent 
aoordyng to your Grace is desyre. As towchjnag the 
Bishope off^Dunkell is mater, I have wrytyn unto 
your Grace theroff in my last Letters, and I ame a 
howght to gett the fryar. heir somwhatt off the Pope 
for your sake, that he may resigne the pention he 
bathe assignyd hyme apon the bishopriche off Dunkell. 

Off the Archibishope of Sa3mct Andrews I have 
q)okyn so moche evyll all redye, that I ... go 
studye howe I maye nowe convenientlye speke w . . • 
Dotwithstondyng I ame glade your Grace hathe recom 
.... hyme, for the Duke of Albanye latlye was de- 
mandyd . . on, whome he toke for his freind, what 
he wold do nowe as the World was thus tumyd ; he 
answeryd that he wold in to France, wher he oowd 
nott lake an honorabyll interteynment in this grett 
scarcyte of nobyll men and grett capitans ; and after 
that w . . demandyd a gayn what he wold doo iff that 

* The date of the month U W^ blank in the wig* Edit. 



816 OBiaiKAL LETTEB8. 

interteynment shold fayll hyme, as peraventure it 
myght ; then the sayd duke sayd he wold in to Soot- 
kmd, wher he sayd he had freindes, and rekonyd the 
Archibishope off Saynct Andrews to be on off the 
cheiff. But it shold seim now that he makythe his 
rekonjrng a mysse, and so I will showe the Pope ; and 
I am sure his Holynes wilbe ryght well contentyd 
withall, and make soche demonstration in the sayd 
Archibishopis cause that he shall ryght well knowe 
that he farythe nothyng the wars^ for the Kynges 
Highnes and your Grace is recommendation : so, that 
the sayd Archibishope shall have gretlye to esteim the 
same. The Bishope off Dunkell his servant is come ; 
and I doo the best I cane to helpe and assist hyme in 
his masters causes, acordyng your Grace is command- 
ment. I have allso receyvyd the Kynges Letters in 
recommendation off the Bishopriche of M urraye and 
the abbay off Paslaye. The Kynges letters for the 
Archibishope off Saynct Andrews I have not yett re- 
ceyvyd, and, a mongst a grett nomber off Scotyshmen 
heir in the town, heir is non that hathe any commission 
frome the sayd Archibishope, but favorithe rather the 
Archibishope off Glasco his adversary. 

This the Almyghty God preserve your Grace. At 
Bome the xix day of Marche 

Your Grace is humbyll chapleyn and 
bedman, 

JO. Ci.£RK» 

• worse. 



OBIGIMAL LETTERS. SIT 



LETTER LXXXVIII. 

The Bishop qf Bath to Cardinal Wolsey^ upon his 
negociatians with the Emperor* s Ambassadors at 
Rome ; Money paid to them ; 8fc. 

[ms. cotton, vitell. b. vii. foL 102. Orig.] 



Pleasythe your Grace to understond that the 
xxviij*^ day of Marche I recey ved your Grace is let- 
ters off the vj*** off the same ; and folowyng the tenor 
off your Grace is sayd letters, I have spokyn withe 
the Emperors Orator heir, and have showyd them off 
this new commission now made by the Kynges High- 
nes and your Grace for ther necessites, in the best 
and most ampill maner that I cowde ; extendyng the 
Kynges benivolence and good mynd towardes them 
and the Emperors affayres heir in Italye, and what 
provision was made for them to have holpyn them in 
ther extremite. Wherin I assure your Grace they 
gretly rejoysyd, and rekonythe that whan ye shall have 
had knowlege off the successis in Lombardye (as att 
the tyme off the wrytyng off your sayd letters it semithe 
that yow had nott) yow will then make dowtlesse forth 
demonstration as the case shall reqwyr. Now that, 
batayll is strykyn withe soche a glorioss and memora- 



318 OmiGIKAL LETTEB8. 

byll Victorye, specially apon theys your Grace is last 
letters, my thynkythe I cane doo no lesse than delyver 
them, as moche as in me shalbe, the kynges monye ; 
and therfor I have apoyntyd them to take upe xxiii 
Mil. crowns heir off the marchantes in Rome that re- 
ceyyyd the kynges monye ; and that at soche pryce as 
the sayd orators shall agre them ^selfs withe the mar- 
chantes and they be stond to the losse, as, withe myche 
adoo, they be content so to doo. They shall have 
myche adoo to have it off the sayd marchantes, for the 
marchantes demand all thcr letters off exchange whiche 
your Grace hathe reteynyd ther, and nott sent hether. 
I have offyrd to bynd my selfe that the sayde letters 
shalbe sent hether- agayn by a daye, or elles qwitances 
sufficient for the same ; and I thynke my band shalbe 
acceptyd. Therfor it maye lyke your Grace to send 
hether agayn, withe the fyrst, all the sayd lettres off 
exchange for myn indempnite, or elles that qwitances 
may be mad by master Wyatacordyngly. The Kynges 
hole monye being heir in the handelyng of the Torke- 
pliar^ and Syr Jhon Rossdil is xlyj Mil crowns off 
the Sonne and odde. Off this ther remajrnythe sty 11 ij 
MiL and odde in syr Jhon Rosselles handes, who is 
nott heir, and I knowe well he hathe spent a grett part 
theroff; for he shewid me he hathe had no nother 
monye to spend. Ther is in Fermars handes, viij Mil. 
crowns; and in my Lord off Se}n[ict Jhonis x. Mil. 

• Turcuplar. 



OBTCINAL LETT£KS. 819 

crown»; and lit my handes ther is yett iij Mil. crowns ; 
and on Mil. I desyryd your Grace myght be acoomptyd 
unto me apcm my dietts : for the other ij MiL I. sent 
you bylles, wherby they myght be recoverd off my 
father in Inglond. The whiche sommys to gether, 
with the xxiij Mil. crowns a for sayd, make upe the 
holl some off xlvj. MiL and odde. Wherfor ther shalbe 
delyverd imto the Emperors agents heir, who have 
speciall commission frome the Viceroye to recey ve it, 
fyrst the xxiij Mil. crowns that is heir in Rome in the 
marchantes iiandes, and the ij Mil. crowns part of the 
iij. Mil. that is in my handes, that makythe xxv. Mil. 
crowns of the sonne. . I have writen to Master Secre- 
tarye to delyver them ther in Venyce xx Mil. crowns 
of the Sonne more. So that they shall recey ve in the 
holl xlv Mil crowns off the Sonne. As I doo thynke 
your Grace reconythe that xlvj Mil. crowns off the 
Sonne makythe 1. Mil. other crowns, and so I have 
shewyd the Impmalls, that they shall recey ve 1. Mil. 
crowns after this maner, savyng on MiL whiche I sayd 
unto them is, withe miH'e, spent in sendyng the sayd 
mcmye upe ; and I assure your Grace they be ryght 
well ccHitentyd to take this in this maner ; and gevithe 
the Kynges Highnes ryght harty thankes therfor. 
Your Grace wry tythe that we shold make them L MiL 
crowns, and as I ^o take the crown, so we shall; or 
»tt the lest wtsse nyghe therunto. I thow^t it best to 
kepe me within the banded off my commission ; for iff 



SdO ORIGINAL LETTERS, 

ther shalbe ony fowt that ways, it maye sone be 
amendyd and so cowd it nott iff we shold exceid ; be- 
sydes that the Emperors agentes be nott nowe in soche 
grett extremite thankyd be Gk)d, for this Lyge now 
latlye made betwen the Pope, the Kynges Highnes, 
the Emperor, and other. The Imperialles shall shortly 
recey ve large sommys off monye, and albe it I have no 
parfect knowlege theroff, for theys maters war treatyd 
ad partem, and nott comprisyd in the articles expressly, 
for the mor honestye : yett by secreatt meanys, and 
.many provabyll conjectors I do understand that the 
Pope and the Florentyns shal pay on C. Mil. ducattes, 
the Venetians on C. and 1. Mil. 4ucattes, the duke off 
Ferrar on C. and 1. Mil. ducattes, the Citeis and ter- 
ritory es off Mantua, Luke,^ Senys, Genua, Saluce, 
Monteferratt, att the lest on C. Mil. ducattes amongst 
them ; and besydes this they have in sondry Citees in 
the duchie off Mylan, sjms the Victorye, large sommys 
off monye, att the lest a iij or iiij score Mil. ducattes ; 
and dayly ther comythe in more to them ; whiche is 
CCCCC. Mil. ducattes and above, besyd the Emperors 
own monye, that syns the Victory hathe, and shalbe 
shortlye receyvyd. And for this, by cause ther neces- 
site is nott nowe so grett, I stode in grett dowt whether 
it war best to dely ver theym ony part off the Kynges 
monye or nott ; but nowe after the recey t off your 
Grace sayd letters, I have resolvyd my selfe to lett 

• Lucca. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS, ' 321 

them have it, partlye by cause my thynkythe it is 
gretlye aperteynyng to the Kynges honor that his 
Highnes shold kepe his promess ; partly allso that theys 
nobyll and valiant capitans may have the better corage 
to do the Kyng servyce, percase his Highnes shall 
intend any farther interpryse, whiche saye opynlye 
that they will not take enterprise mor apon them, apon 
the Emperors promese onlye, but iff they have the 
Kynges Highnes promesse to the same. The Em- 
perors armye for the most partye lyethe in the terri- 
toryes off Parma and Plesance ; * and ther have etyn 
and distroyid syns the Victorye, as the Pope saythe, to 
the valew of CC. Mil. ducattes all redy, and iff they 
shold so long contynew, the sayd territoris shold be 
destroid for ever, as his Holynes saythe : and therfor 
his Holynes, supposyng that some reformation shold 
be herin, the Lygge ^ wons^ made, hathe therfor callyd 
a pon the Imperialles for the accomplyshment theroff ; 
and so the sayd Lygge ^ was concludyd betwen his Ho- 
lynes, the Emperors, and the Kynges agentes, the fyrst 
daye off this monythe, accordyng unto soche articles 
as I doo nowe send unto your Grace ; whiche doo nott 
in all wordes agree withe the articles concludyd, butt 
ther is no grett difference, specially in maters concern- 
yng the Kyng, who is namyd as principall contrahent, 
mor for a mutuall reputation on every syde, then that 
other confederates, or elles his Highnes can take ony 

• Placentia. *> league. < once. 

VOL. I. SEB. 2.* y 



982 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

other grett particulare benefytt therby. The Kynges 
Highnes hathe an honerabyll part and memorye in the 
same Ligge » withowt charge, and therfor I dyd accept 
it, thowghe I have no commission ; therfor your Grace 
maye fomyshe me theroff att your pleasure, for all the 
commissions hetherto sent be but ad tractandum de 
pace et treuga cum Rege Francise. There be allso many 
particular poyntes betwen the confederattes for the 
pajrment off roonye, and for the maters of Italye, 
whiche ther expreslye war nott spokyn off, for the on 
off them wil nott have it knowyn what the other doithe, 
and therfor be treatyd with the particulars a parte ; 
for the Emperors agentes shry vythe and shavithe theys 
Potentatis off Italye. Heir was many greatt crakes a 
whyll, butt nowe be low e nowghe. The Emperpr 
shall recover dowtles nowe large sommys off monye, 
nott reconyng that that nowe he shall yerlye have off 
the Duchie of Mylan, the whiche thyngs in treatyng 
withe the Emperor in many matters may be browght 
in consideration, as I dowht nott butt your Grace dothe 
consider. 

I was yesterday e withe the Popis Holynes, and ther 
I had withe me the Scottyshe sollicitors in the maters 
wherin your Grace hathe wrytyn unto me in tymys 
past, and his Holynes gave them verye gratiose au- 
dience and very good resolution in all ther maters, de- 

* league. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 8S3 

claryng unto them howe ferventlye the Kynges High- 
nes had wrytyn in thos maters, and how that for his 
sake they shold have the favors possibyll as towchyng 
the Bishope of Donkelme is matta^. I am sure his 
solicitor dothe nowe wryght unto hyme, as towchyng 
the Archibushope off Se3mt Andrews mater : the Popis 
Holynes is very harde in revokyng off the Bishope off 
Glasco is exemption, for whome the Kyng of Scottes, 
agaynst the Archibishope off Seynt Andrews hathe 
wrytyn very ferventlye to the Pope, as your Grace 
shall see, by the copy of the letter whiche I doo nowe 
send your Grace ; besydes that the Scottyshmen heir 
saythe that the sayd Archibishope had misordyrd 
hyme selfe in a newe consp)rracye agaynst the Kyng 
and the Qwen, and that makythe me staye my sewit 
to the Popis Holynes for hyme, tyll I heer more from 
your Grace. The Popis Holynes att this tyme willyd 
me to make his speciall recommendations unto your 
Grace, saying that all his trUst is in yowe. Wherfor 
it may lyke your Grace to use styll some demonstrar- 
tion withe good wordes'to his agent ther withe yowe, 
that it maye appeir that I have don my message. I 
assur your Grace that soche demonstrations withe good 
wordes spokyn by your Grace, ben to ther great com- 
fort heir, and be ryght thankfully takyn. The Duke 
off Albanye toke shyppyng thi . . .» weike in to 



■ thiit laKt ? 

y2 



SS4 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

France wardes. This the Allmyghty preserve your 
Grace fix)in Rome the yj* day off April. 

Your Graces most humbyll servant 
and chapleyn 

JO. CLERK'. 

To my lord Legattis good Grace. 



LETTER LXXXIX. 

Sir John RusseU to Cardinal Wolsey^ concerning the 
French King^ and the Emperor's other prisoners. 

[ms. cottok. vitell. B.-VII. foL 119. Orig.] 



Pleasithe your • ; 

Bourbon and the viceroy hath ben at Pischiketon where 
the Franche King is, for the sending forth of the .... 
and also to inlarge the Prince of Orrenge M»* S*^ . . . . 
de Pry and the bisshop of Altheume for the q)ace of 
.... monnethes, ,so that they in the meane season 
might make appoyntement for ther rannsomes : and 
that he the sa . . . . wold give liberte in like maimer 
to the Countie S^ Pol, M*" de Rochepott, and M»- D'Al- 
beny, with others ; whereunto the Frenche king an- 
swered that he in that matter wold write unto his 
mother, and that if she therewithall wer contented he 



ORIGINAL LSTTE&S. 325 

thereunto wold agre. But he said he wold not assure 
them of that. Upon this M'*. D'Albenny and M*". de 
Ro . . . .a is goon in to Fraunce to porchase ther 
deliverance. 

As toching the sending of the Frenche king in to 
Naples, whereof I in my former lettres have certified 
your Grace, although they wer there for thajt matter 
partly well . . dayes, yet therein is nothing doon, for 
sometymes the Viceroys advise was to kepe hym stil in 
Pischiketon, sometyme to bringe hym to Myllan, and 
sometyme to Na . . .^ Wherewith the ducke of Bour- 
bon was evel contented .... that he the said Duke 
cam his way and left the said Viceroy there. 

I ensure your Grace that the Frenche king hath to 
muche his libertie, for that so manny messingers are 
sui&ed to come and goo betwene hym and his Mother; 
by reason whereof he is acertaigned of all- there 
doyinges in Fraunce, and gevith his advise aswel as 
though he were there present, further, the prisoners 
here be souffred to goo home paying ther raunsome. 
I have spoken with the Viceroy in that matter, who 
sayeth that he cannot doo other but that they that hath 
taken them must nedes deliver them for to have mon- 
ney. Mons^. de Bourbon hath likewise spoken unto 
the said Viceroy diverse tymes concernyng that ; and 
is not very wel contented with hym, aswel for suche 
sufferaunce as also for that he intreateth hym not wel, 

• Rcchepott. »» Naple». 



326 QBIGIKAL LETTEItS. 

saying that he doth not use suche pacience 



Sir, they mervaile muche here that they have no 
worde from your Grace synse the Battaile was given : 
and it is fered here that the King wol not follow his 
interprise of Fraunce because the tyme is so ferr spent. 

The Emperor hath sent to the duke of Bourbon iij 
or iiij tymes sjmse the battail was gevin. The said 
Ducke of Bourbon wold have or this tyme goon in 
to Spayne, & there to have fomisshed his marriage, 
saving onely that he is desierous to performe all suche 
promesses as he hath made to the King and tV £m« 
peror in tjrmes past. Here he lyeth at greate cost and 
charge, for his Howse costith hym a hundreth crownes 
a day. And thus Jesus preserve your Grace in long 
lif and continuall prosperite. Writtin at Myllan the 
xj* day of May. 

your humble servant 

J. RUSSELL. 



The first news of the Victory of Pavia led Henry the Eighth to in- 
dulge a hope that an opportunity would now be afforded him of recover, 
ing some part of those territories in France which his ancestors had been 
possessed of. As late as May H^'', 1525, we find John Clerk bishop of 
Bath, the English minister at Rome, writing in the following terms to 
Wolsey : 

*' At the first audience now upon these your Grace*s last Letters, after 
the Kings Highness's and also your Grace*s most lowly and humble re- 
commendations, the sum and effect of such declaration as in your Orace*8 
name I made unto his Holyness is, first, how the Elings Highness now 
in no wise wold pretermit this great occasion, and that boUi the Emperor 



ORIGINAL LSTTEBS. 327 

and alik) His Highness were determined to invade Fiance, for the recovery 
of their rights, and to remove the Kyng that nowe is, with all his success 
sion, horn the Inheritance of France, wherewiih it seemed that Almighty 
God had showed such great signs and occasions for the said French Kings 
demerits^ that they might not neglect them without Almighty God's 
HiOH^ DISPLEASURE, as that thing whereby should ensue the long 
desired Peace, ever likely to endure betwen Cristian Prynces, to the ex- 
termination and total destruction of Christ's enemies, and exaltation of 
Christ's faith ; declaring furthermore unto His Holyness that the Kings 
Highness and your Grace's desire was that His Holyness would vouch* 
safe to concur with you, and lay his helping hand unto so holy a purpose, 
to the intent it might be the more easily brought to pass; shewing on 
your Gtrace's behalf that yf His Holiness will set rest and peace between 
Christian Princes, acc(»ding as every man thinketh he is bound to do of 
duty, his Holiness must now take this way ; for by the French Kings 
restitution, were he never so well plimied, his ambition and insatiable 
wit, unto his Holiness not unknovm, is soche, that doubtless upon some 
quarel or occasion immagined, if other should lack, he would never be in 
rest till he had recovered all again." 

The Pope was solicited at least to join by money in the Invasion of 
France ; but he resisted every entreaty. Francis, in the meantime, was 
unexpectedly carried prisoner first to Naples, and then to Spain ; although 
he '' used all the ways and policies he could devise to remain witUn 
the Duchy of Mihuu" • 

Pace in a Letter to Wolsey from Venice, dated June the 14^. says, 
'' The French King and the Vice Roy took shipping at G^enna the xxx''*. 
day of the last month, and sailed from thence to a place named Port 
Fjne distant from Genua thirty or forty miles, but, as I understand by 
sundry Letters they are both returned again near unto Genua where are 
lately arrived six French gallies voide, ^ which by the Vice Roy's com. 
mandment are furnished and ahned with Spaniards: whereupon it is 
thought that the said French King shaU be conveyed into Spain, and 
then to treat and conclude some appointment with the Emperor ; never- 
theless the said Emperors ambassador resident here hath shewed unto me 
that he hath word from Naples that the said French Kings lodging is 
prepared there. The truth hereof shaU shortly appear. Some men say 
that the said French gallies are come for the defence of the Kings poson 
against the Moors, of whom a strong army was discovered in the sea at 
his being at the said Port Fyne." '^ 

• Pace to Wolsey, June z*, 1525. MS. Cott. Vitell. B. vii. foL 149. 

*» Empty. 

c Pace to Wolsey, fh>m Ven* W^ June, ut supr. foL i56> 



8S8 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

TheBiiliop of Bath, in a Letter to Wolaej from B4iiiie, dated June 
20di, ihewB diat Fiaocis, wbatever was his dismaj, ssiiimfd an air of 
sometliing moR than gaietj upon die jomnej. He saji, ^ I wrote unto 
your Oiaee of the Ficndi Kl^ depntuxe fiom Oama tiie ix*^. of diis 
picaent in to ^painwaids, accompanied with six of his own gallies. 
Sinee diat time ben other Lettets come fiom GeaoM, concerning his said 
dcpartnse, and some fnrdier particohos of his jomnej, Tiz. diat he 
amred at a phMX called Nissa die tendi day, and diere tamed a fair 
wmd die id*^. and aD the lai^. whadk xii<k. day, at n^ht, he dqpaitid 
thens with a riglit good wind, and by aD conjectures taken upon the 
coptinnancr of diat wind he should be long or this time aznred in Spain. 
While he was at Nissa came onto him certain Knights of die Rhodes, and 
in the name of that Religion sainted him, and desired him to remember 
in wliat case the Religion stood in, and to be good unto the same. It 
should seem diat he took upon him then like a Piiiice ; and with as hi^ 
and as glorious words as mi^t become any great Prince he made onto 
diem Tery large promise, not only of that he would do for the Religion 
himself^ but also of that he would more and* cause the Emperor to do. 
Unto whom he said he went for to redress, order, and conclude his own 
affidrs, and willed the said Kni^ts that in any wise diey should send 
one with him, for he doubted not but he would set their matters at some 
good end with the Emperor. This the French Kings demeanor here 
with these Kni^ts of Rhodes, semeth unto me no matter worthy to be 
written unto your Grace, were it not that the Pope's Holiness and divers 
of his Council did gready tax and mark the said demeanor; saying that 
either the said Frendi King is rig^t well assured of the Emperor, or else 
he useth great presumpticm and temerity, being in captivity, to use him- 
self after that manner.*' • 

Pace says, *'*' Please it your Grace, tfa'Emperors ambassador resident 
here hath advertised me that the Frendi King about the xvii*^. day of 
the last numtfa arrived to the port of Barcelona in Spain ; and that the 
Vice Roy of Naples intended to retain him there till he had commission 
from the Emperor concerning the said French Elings landing, and that a 
great Parliament was assembled in those parties for that purpose." ^ 

Francis was first placed in a castle in the Kingdom of Valencia, a pre- 
ference which gave offence to the Castilians. 

The captivity of Francis the First would, of itself, form an interesting 
Memoir; but it is sufficient for the present purpose to show diat it 
soon excited alarm and jealousy in the mind of Henry the Eighth, who, 
finding the balance of the European states no longer preserved, gave up 

» MS. Cotton. Vitell. B. vii. foL leo. 

I* Letter to Wolsey, July vith. Ibid. foL its b. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 3^ 

hk dieams of conquest, and at once assumed an air of friendship for the 
man whom he had before represented as marked by the Jingen of the 
Almighty for hit demerits. 

The following despatch ftom the Bishop of Bath to Wolsey, dated 
Rome, July the 12th, dedaies the chakge in another Interview with the 
Pope. 

^ After my most himible reconunendations, it may please your Grace 
to understand that I have received your Letteris of the 14th of June, and, 
taking master Gregory with me, went unto the Popes Holiness, and de- 
daied unto him the continue of your said Letters, as well of the King's 
displeasure taken with the Emperor for his unkind demeanor, as also of 
the towardness was in the King's Highness to conclude with France such 
reoiomMe conditions as should be by {hem offered^ and that to as labge 
MAKinBR AS incEDED^ whlch I thought I might now boldly do, not need- 
ing to fear or doubt any thing in the Pope's Holiness, who hath now too far 
disclosed his own counsel to us to doubt ours ; and I assure your Grace 
his Holiness was glad that the Kings Highness opinion and yours did 
agree with his and the wiser mens here ; and said that your Grace had 
wisdy and profoundly considered and pondered the state of the Afiaires 
as they now stand." * 

Henry the Eighth now became anxious to restore Francis; whose 
liberation will foim the subject of the two succeeding Letters. 



LETTER XC. 



Dr. Taylor to Cardinal Wolsey, Peace concluded 
between the Emperor and Francis the First. 

[ms. cotton, calig. d. IX. foL 145. Orig,] 



Pleasyth yt your Grace to understande that sythe 
the departure of Master Thesaurer from hens the 
whiche was the xx^^\ daye of Januarii, hathe be no 

• MS. Cotton. Vitell. B. vii. fol. 1T5. 



880 ORIGINAL LETT£&S« 

newys of certeynte. On Sonday last past wer com- 
manded general .processyons to be made through all 
the Cyte to praye Grod to send good tydyngs ; for of 
long tyme my Lady Regent had no worde oute of 
Spajnie from the Kjnag : and, as yt was the comon re- 
porte, all wayes and passages wer stopped that no mes- 
senger shulld come into Fraunce. This daye I harde 
saye that ther was a messenger come out of Spayne ; 
wherfore I went uppe to the Courte to have spoken 
with Madame, the which I couUd not doo by cause 
she had take a medycyne, and kepyth her chamber ; 
and so hathe don syth Madame d^Alangon came home. 
Wherfore I went to the Chancellor, th^ whiche shewed 
me that in trothe ther was come oute of Spayne a ser- 
vante of the Prynce of Orenge, the whiche ys come for 
the delyveraunce of the sayd Prynce. And he sayth 
that the Peace ys concluded betwyxt th'Emperour and 
the French Kynge, and that the Kyng shall mary the 
lady Elyen . . And allso sajrth that Mons^ Memo- 
rancy * ys in the way commynge oute of Spajnie ; the 
which bry ngeth with hy m the trewth of all this matters, 
and in what maner they be concluded. Allso the sayd 
messenger brought a Letter to th^Emperours ambassa- 
dour here, Mons^. de Prat, the whiche hathe shewed 
his Letter to Madame. Thes things not withstandyng, 
the Chauncellor tollde me they gyve no credence to 
thes newys, for they have be often tymesdysceyved 

• Montmorency. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 8S1 

I>7 gevjmg lygfat credence to newys that cam by 
estraungers. Yf they be trewe, the trust shcniiy to 
have confyrmacyon of them by theyr awne messoigers. 
Howbeyt the Chamicellor bad me, yf I woUd wiyte 
to your Grace, that I shold wrjrte this newes of his 
mouthe. After this I went to Mons^ Robertet the 
whidie oonfyrmed all things that Mons^. Chauncdler 
had tcJlde me: and farthermcnre promysed me as 
sone as any certejnite of trouth ys come, I shall be the 
fyrst that shall have knowl^e therof, for to shewe your 
Grace with dylyg^ice the state of things. In the 
meane tjrme I have in gret hast wryte this to your 
Grace tyll that we have tydjnigs of more carteynte. 
Thus Jhesus preserve your Grace. From Lyons in 
hast the xxiij. of Januarii with the hande of your most 
bownden servaunte and poore bedeman. 

(Signature gone.) 



LETTER XCI. 



Dr. Taylor to Cardinal Wdsey. The arrival of 
Francis the first at Bayonne. 15^. 

[CALIG. D. IX. foL 171- Orig.'l 



Pleas hyt your Grace to undyrstond that the xv 
day of March very late in the evyning by torch lyght 



382 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

my Lady R^ent com into Baiona and was recey vid 
with grete triumphe of gunshott. On the morow 
aftyr djrner I spake with hyr, and sche desyryd me to 
have padens for ij or iij days, sche was in suche grete 
anxite for the sendyng forth of the Dolfyn and bys 
brod3rr, and for grete desyre to see the Kjnag h3rr Son, 
that sche cowd attend to no odyr thyng. But sche 
assured me that as son ^ asfhe Kyng was comm, Mons*" 
Joachjni schuld be dispeched yn to Englond. The 
xvij*h day the Dolfyn and his brodyr war delyvered in 
to the hands of the Spaniards apon a brygge on the 
ryver callyd Handay, bytwix Fontraby and Seynt 
John de Luce, and by twyxt ij. and iij. of the clock 
the same day, the Kyng was receyved in to Baiona 
with muche schotte of ordinance. Withowt the towne, 
a quarter of a myle, I was accompadyd with the 
Chansler and many odyr spiritual men by the com- 
maundment of my Lady, and ther a bode the comm3mg 
of the Kyng ; and aftyr that the Chaunsler hadde sa;- 
luted the Kynge, he schoyd to hym that I was the 
Orator of England ; the Kyng toke me in his armys, 
whom I saluted in this maner : * Christicmtssime Rex^ 

* expwrte serenissimi Regis Anglia^ Defensoris Fidei, 

* Domini met potentissimi, Ego congratulor tuoe Ma- 
^Jestati in suum regnum salvo reditiii : plura dicturus 

* loco et tempore magis oportunis^ His Grace with 
very favorable countenans seyd, how he wold more at 

• soon. 



OKIGINAL LETTERS. 8SS 

large speke with me, and he wold never forgete the 
goodnesse that he had founde in the Kyngs Hyghnes. 
At my next comm3mg to hys presens I schal make 
humble commendacions of your Grace behalf, for 
Mons\ Joadhyn told me that whan he spake with hym 
by the way, he seyd he was so much bound unto your 
Grace that he wold honor yow as hys fadyr durjmg 
hys lyff. And so seyd that the seyd Mons^. Joachyn 
schuld be in al hast dispeched in to England, the which 
schalbryng with hym all thyngs concemyng the Trety 
of Peace with ratificacion of the K3mg's oone hande ; 
and also al the secrete of the Peace concluded with 
th^Emperor. At whos commyng I schol wryte more 
at large yf any thyng worth the wry tyng comm to my 
knowlege. Thus Jhesu preserve your Grace. From 
Baiona in haste the xviij. day of March 15^6. W*^ 
th'^ande of yoiur most bound servant and beydman. 



LETTER XCII. 

Dr. Taylor to Cardmcd WoLsey. Reports an Audience 

from Francis the First 

[ms. cotton, calig. d. IX. fol. 172. Orig.] 



Pleasyth yt your Grace that after I had close* 



384 OfctGIKAL LSTTSilS. 

my Letters to scsid to your Grace and the currer was 
redy to sett fortliwarde, the King charged Mons^ 
Vaulx that he shulld send forthe no man tyll that His 
Grace had spoke with me, and commaundyd Mons''. 
Joachin to bring me to His Grace at iij. of the clocke 
at aftre none on Passion Sonday ; at which hower I 
gave attendaunce. His Grace was so long occupyed 
in the Cownsell that yt was passed v. of the clocke or 
that I coullde speke with hym. His mule was broght 
forthe to ryde on solace. Notwithstanding he sent 
Mons''. Vaulx for me ; and at my commjnig in to the 
chamber to hym His Grace embrased me in his armes, 
and excused hym sellf that he had made me to tarry 
so longe, and toke me by the hand and led me to a 
wyndowe. And brefly I shewed His Grace that I 
had commaund from my soyere3me Lorde the Kinge 
of England, with cordyall commendatyons, to salute 
him at his arryvall, and to rejoyse and congratulate 
his retorne into his Reallme with lyberte : ' of. the 
whiche the Einge my Lorde was as glad of as any 
Prynce christned, with all kynd oblations of amytie, 
amore, and benevolence, wherin he myght do to him 
pleasure. I added also that I had in commaundment 
to put his Grace in mynd, and to exhorte him not only 
to confirme, approve, and ratyfye all suche acts and 
dedys as wer done in his absence with Madame 
Lady Regent his mother, butt allso that he in his owne 
persone, according to the contracte made, shulld with in 



OBIGINAL LETTERS. 3SB 

certeyn tyme reiterate and renewe them accordingly. 
His Grace woUd suffer me to speke no more, but sayd, 
Mons'^. Ambassadour, I knowe well the good mynd 
of my kinde brother of England, whom, after God, I 
thanke of my liberte. He hathe done at this tyme in 
my captivite suche an acte by the whiche he hathe 
gatte etemel memory of glorye, and bownden me 
ever, and all myne, to do him servyce. And I ad- 
sure youe that after I had seyne h3rm and spoke with 
him, yf he ben no gentylman nor I nother, he was so 
affectionate that I wollde have doone him servyce. 
And howebeyt that ther was war moved betwixt us, 
I know right well yt was but cerymonyusly doon; 
for yf he wolld have warred in dede, I shuUd have 
fellt yt grevouslyer and much sorer. And jrt wolld 
never sinke in . . my hart but that he loved me.* 
Then said Mons^ Joachin, ^ Sir I doo knowe right 
well that often tymes when in his counsell yt was 
communed and disputed to make war, his Grace 
ever defended your parte. And I assure your Grace 
that yf his Highnes had ben borne of the same modre 
that ye wer, he coulld not more studiously nor more 
affectionatly study forth youre lyberte and honorable 
deliverance then he hath done. I am a necessary 
wytnes, for I have harde his Grace often tymes speke 
more then I coulld other thinke or desier.' Th^ 
King answered and said. He knewe all thes things 
well, trusting that yf God gave them towe lyf they 



S86 "OEIGINAL LETTEES. 

shuld have a great saying with all Princes Christiane ; 
and he trusted well that the Kings Grace shuUd be a 
gretter eyde and conforte to the redemption of his 
sonnes, the whiche wer gone in to Spayne, then ever 
his sonnes shulld have to have redymed him, whom 
his kinde brother of England had redemed to liberte. 
And as touching all suche things as wer concluded in 
his absence with Madame his moder, he wyll not only 
approve, ratyfye, and confyrme, but with the blode of 
his body mayntene. * And yf my brother of England 
^ can study any other way to make them strong, I wyll 
* surely performe yt.' 

After this I made humble commendations and 
congratulations in your Grace's name. The Kinge 
answered that he knewe well all this goodnes cam 
- of your Grace, and of the good disposition of his 
kind broder, and, that while he lyved he wolld honor 
your Grace, and take youe for bis father; and that 
he wolld doo no thing with oiite the advyce and 
counsell of the Kings Highnes and your Grace, as ye 
shulld fullyer knowe by Mons*". Jbachin, whiche shulld 
be depeched within thes ij. dayes to your Grace, with 
all things, bothe secrets, and allso concerning this 
Amyte betwixt th'Emperour and him. He toUde to 
us certeyne secrets the whiche th'Emperour spake to 
h}rm at his departing, and desiered me and Mons^. 
Joachin we shullde never speke them, wherfore I do 
not put them in wry ting, for Mons'". Jochin wyll shewe 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. S8T 

them by mothe to your Grace when he commyth to 
your presence. I beseche your Grace I may here 
from your Grace what I shall doo here. Yt ys said 
the Einge will kepe his Ester at Burdeux. Thus Jhesu 
preserve your Grace. From Bayona the xix^K daye of 
Marche. 

This momyng Mons'. Joachin hathe shewed to me 
ij. Lettres of the Kings one ^ hand, one to the King's 
Highnes, one other to your Grace ; ^ the which he 
sendyth by this Post, for he shall make hastyer spede 
then Mons^ Joachin maye, and yt wyll be ij. dayes or 
that he maye be depeched here. 

By your most bownden servaunt and dayly bede- 
man, the xix^^, day of March 15S6. 

JO. TAYLOR, Archid, Buck'. 

To my Lord Cardinalls Grace. 



LETTER XCIII. 

Dr. Taylor to Cardinal Wohey. The Affairs of 
Italy. Francis the First has afaUJr&ni his horse. 

[ms. cottok. calig. d. IX. fol. 219. Orig.] 



Pleasyth yt your Grace that syth the departing 

» own. 

<> The burnt remains of that to the Cardinal are preserved in the same Volume with 
the present letter, fol. 174. It finishes • « vous pryant avoyr de votre ccste oeste fenne 
credence en moy, et que vous me trouvores tousjours votre byen b<m amy 

" Fbanooys.** 

VOL. I. SER. 2. Z 



888 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

of Mr. Cheyny from h^s, the whiche was the xxvij*. 
of Mail, lyttell occasion hathe be to wryte to your 
Grace. The v^. daye of Junii Mods'. President of 
Roan cam to the Einge at Angulisme, the whiche was 
very welcom to the Kinge, and allso to my Lady. 
And towe dayes contynually he was other wyth the 
Kinge or wyth my Lady, and made suche good rela- 
cyon of the Kings Highnes and of your Grace that 
they ooulld not be sacyate to talke with hym. The 
viij*. daye I went to the Court, the Kinge caused me 
to stande at his chaire bolle while he djmed ; and at 
after djmner toke me to the wyndowe, and with af^ 
f^tionate hart and a joyouse countenaunce tollde me 
that the President had broght hym suche tydings from 
his brother the Kinge our Master and your Grace that 
hym semed perfytely to known bothe your kynde harts, 
and pleyn assurement of all suche things as had ben 
spoke of and reported of the King^s Highnes and your 
Grace ; and said he wolld doo his trewe devour and 
intent to majrnte}^! and encrease and strenght this be^ 
gone Amyte. For he sayd havjmg trewe and feyth- 
full amyte with the Kings Grace he caryd not for all 
the worlld. And he trusted that by Moretts commjmg 
thider your Grace schulld be well assured of his mynde 
^d intent. Every man that commyth from those 
partyes make so hyghe and good report of the Kjmgs 
Highnes and your Grace that yt ys gret confort and 
joye to me to here 3rt. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 839 

Ther ys one called Villars, the whiche was prisoner 
in the Tower. He hathe bothe to the Kinge, to 
Madame, and to the great Chauncellor in every place 
schewyth of the gracyouse goodnes and lyberaljrte of 
the Kinge and highe wysedome of your Grace, and m 
lykewyse the Hostages, the whiche be com her, that 
all the worlld ys affectionat nowe and laudynge of 
his felycyte, that yt hathe suche a Kynge and such 
counsell. 

I assure your Grace ther hathe ben with me Ce- 
cilians, Neapolytanes, Allmaynes, and Italyanes, all 
praying to God that the Kinge of Yngland myght 
[be] theyr Lorde and Kynge. And doughtless yf 

ther wer as cofers as hathe ben,^ the Kings 

Highnes myght facy . . • be Lorde of all the Worllde. 
And nowe here ys published by the Popes Nimtius that 
the King our master hath given towerds the succors of 
Hungary ayenst the Turke a C. scuts, so that every 
man merito gyvyth to his Grace . . . name Defensor 
Fidei, to the gret reproche of th'Emperor, the whiche 
sufferyth his owne syster to be in so gret daunger of 
capty vyte of the Turks. 

Here yt ys sayde that the Viceroye shall shortly de- 
part ayen in to Spayne, non bene contentus. The last 
tyme I spake wythe the Kinge he had spoken with 
the Viceroy, the whiche presented a successor for 
Mons^ de Fratto. And allso one other gentylman 

■ An allusion probably to the time of Henry the Seventh. Edit. 

z a 



S40 ORIGINAL LETTERS. 

brought lettres from th'Emperor in the favor of one 
the whiche was the Duke Burbon^s servand : for the 
fSune was in th^Emperours Court that . . was taken in 
Fraunce goyng into Italy. The Kinge tolld he gave 
this answer, the Viceroye being present, that he had 
knowelege of such ones passage into Italy, wherfore 
he made streyght commandement that in no wyse he 
shulld be suffi*ed to passe ; yet one, for luker of money 
lett him passe. The Kinge hathe caused him to be 
hanged: and said to the- messenger that cam from 
th'Emperour, ^ Ye maye well percey ve what I woUd 
^ have don with hym yf he had ben take, that have 
^ caused hym to be hanged that lett hym escape.^ And 
sayd ferther to the messenger, * Segnior, I thinke ye 
^ have some other gretter errand, than that suche a 
^ man shulld for the cause of so vyle a person take 
* suche labors.^ H(ec ex ore Regis, The Popy's 
Nuntius tollde me that the Kinge said to hym that he 
was sory that he had sufired Don Hugo de Monchado 
to pass into Italy. 

Ferthermore the ix*h. daye of this Moneth, the 
Kinge goinge a hunting, his hors fell, and, couytyng^ 
in the fall to hellpe and save him selff, fell on his lefte 
arme, the whiche, betwixt th^elbowe and the wriste, the 
small bone was put out of joynt, and the wryst of the 
hand allso, the whiche was great parell of brekyng of 
his arme. But thanked be Grod, no daungerof lym 

» desiring. 



OBIGINAL LETTERS. 341 

nor lyffe. The Fisicians kepe well the ague from His 
Grace, that ther ys no daunger. 

Th6 xj^K daye I visited His Grace and spake with 
him, and he shewed me his hand gretly swoUne and 
inflate. A lyttell he myght move his fingers, and 
trustyth within x. or xii. dayes to be well to labor : 
he slepyth and etyth well withoute any ache or 
trouble ; blessed be Jhesu ; who preserve your Grace 
in good hellth and prosperyte. From Angoulesme the 
xij^. of Junij. By your chappleyn and most bounden 
bedeman 

JO. TAYLOE, 

Arch. ofBuck^^ 
To my Lorde Cardinal's Grace. 



LETTER XCIV. 

Loma IP. ofHtmgary to King Henry the Eighth^ 
entreating assista/nce against the forces qfSdhfnum 
the Magnificent. 

[ms. cotton, vesp. f. III. fol. 86. Or%g,'\ 

*^* The fate of Hungary was long foreseen by Louis the Second. 
Inhere are no less than three Letters in the Cottonian Collection from 
him to Henry the Eighth, all in Latin, in diiSerent years, announcing 
the threatened condition in which he stood. In one, dated from Buda, 
June 3(Hh, 1521) he says, ^^ Hostes quotidie appropinquant, et procul. 



84S OEIGINAL LETTERS. 

dttbio antequam has Litene ad Majestatem vestram pervenerint noa ei 
legna nostra inyadent Itenun atque itenun Majestatem yestram rogamua 
laboranti Reipublicas Chmtiaiue, et consilio et aozilio, dam licet suc- 
cunat."* 

In the second, dated from Posen, Feb. 5th, 1524, he states that the 
Turk finding his empbe safe toward the east, had now determined to en- 
large it on the side of Europe, and meditated the reduction of Hungary. 
** Regnum nostrum Hungariae primo statim Vere eo animo ac proposito 
Snyadere et aggredi statuit, ut tot amunrum prsedis, vastitate, caedibus, 
▼ezatum, attritum, ezhaustum, jugo suo teterrimo (quod Deus omen 
avertat) possit subigere. Scepe sumus apud Sedem Apostolicam et 

PrIVCIFES Ch&ISTIANOS tettatiy QUANTULiE SIlfT VOSfBJR VIBES 

cum Tu&CAJiuM coUatte potentxa." — '^ Hortamur itaque Majestatem 
▼estram, et rogamus pa omnipotentis Dei nomen, per Christi Redemptoris 
Qostii charitatem, per vinculum Rel^ionis ac Fidei communis, per pri- 
yatas quoque necessitudines, per omnia jura qus R^es Regibus, Amicos 
Amids jungunt et condliant, ne patiatur (quod in se est) R^num Hun- 
garis, non . postremum nee otipsum Christianitatis membrum, ab hoc 
ooKpore divellL** ^ 

The third Letter is diat which is here hiid entire before the reader ; 
written two months and eight da3rs before the battle of Mohatz. 



LuDOVicus Dei gratia Rex Hungariae et Bohemise, 
&c. serenissimo et potentissimo Principi Domino Hen- 
rico Anglise et Francise Regi, &c. Principi Hibemise, 
&c. Amico nostro charissimo salutem et prosperorum 
successuum amorisque assiduum incrementum. 

Serenissime Princeps, amice noster eharissime, cum 
Majestas vestra ex creberrimis litteris nostris jam satis 
clare intellexerit, Turcae contra nos et hoc regnum 
nostrum adventum, pmcula Christianitati universae, 
si quid nobis (quod Deus avertat) contigerit, immi- 
nentia. Supervacaneum esse arbitramur ea rursus re- 
censere, quae creberrime Majestati vestrse significavi- 

• MS. Cotton. Vesp. F. i. foj. 80. *> Ibid. fd. 74. 



ORIGINAL LETTERS. 848 

nius^ Caesar ipse Turcarum^ abest jam a Nandor Alba 
itinere trium aut quattuor dierum; nihil moratur; 
veniet contra nos et hoc regnum nostrum cum omni 
sua potentia ; cui quam simus impares, propter vires 
nostras plurimum imminutas, Majestas vestra et ex 
Uteris et ex Oratoribus nostris jampridem intellexit. 
Omnis spes nostra sita est in auxilio Majestatis vestrse 
et aliorum Principum Christianorum, sed potissimum 
in vestra Majestate ; quod nisi afiuerit, citissime actum 
de nobis et hoc regno nostro esse putamus. Quare 
rogamus et obtestamur Majestatem vestram per im- 
mortalem Deum, per salutem reipublicse Christianse, 
velit sine mora nobis, hoc prsesenti periculo laboranti- 
bus, subsidio et auxilio quo potest subvenire, et quidem 
citra omnem moram, nam frustra nobis postea auxi- 
Ihim feretur, dum hostis potentia in viscera hujus r^ni 
nostri penetraveriu Vestram Majestatem felicissimam 
v^Iere optamus. Datum Budse, xxj. mensis Junii^ 
Anno domini m.d.xxv). regnorum nostrorum prasdicto* 
rum anno decimo. 

LUDOVICUS ssx, 

manu propria. 



The event of the battle is told in the succeeding Letter, in (German ; 
for the Translation of which the Editor is indebted to his fidend Charles 
Konig, Esq. 

» In the MS. it m Tucarum. 



844 OEIGINAL LETTERS. 



LETTER XCV. 

Ferdifumd of Austria to Herman Archbishop of 
Cologne. TTie news of the Battle ofMohatz, 

[mS. cotton. VE8PA8. F. I. foL 17* OngJ\ 



Dem hochwirdigen Fursten Hem Herman 
Ertz bischofen zu Colen des Heiligen Romischen 
Reichs durch Italien Ertz cantzler vnd Churfur- 
sten Hertzogen zu Westvalen vnd Engem Vnserm 
besundem lieben freundt. 

HocHwiBDiGEB ChurfuTst vnnser lieb vnd sonndere 
freuntchaflft zuvor, besonnder lieber Freundt. Wir 
fuegen Eur lieb. mit beswertem vnnd betruebten ge- 
miiet zuvememen das Vnns gestem zu vnnser ankunfft 
hieher von vnnser Niderostereichischen Regierung aine 
post zuekhumben ist in der wir vemiimen haben, das 
vnnsers heiligen ChristenHchen glaubens Erb veindt 
der Tiiranisch Turckh vnnsem lieben Hem vnd Swa^ 

Trantlation. 

Unto the light reverend Prince my Lord Hennan, Archbishop of Cologne, 
L<nrd High Chancellor of the Holy Roman Ehnpire through Italy, Elector and 
Duke d Westphalia and Engem, Our singular good friend. 

'BifgtA reverend Elector, in the most friendly wise we greet you wdl, signifying 
vaoAtt you, with sad and heavy heart, that yesterday at our arrival here, a post has 
leaitied us ftom our Lower Austrian dominions, by which we have received com- 
mmicationtfaattfaehereditaryenemyof our holy Christian fldth, the Tyrant Turk, is 



ORIGINAL LSTTEBS* S4f5' 

gern den Kiinig zu Hungem mit seiner Khuniglichen 
wirde Kriegsvolckh geslagen vnd abgesygt haben soUe. 
Wie aber solche Slacht ergangen, wo sein Khiinigelich 
wirde in derselben belieben^ vnnd hinkommen ist, da9 
moegen wir noch nit wissen, seyen aber allstiindt ainer 
andern post, Got wolle das Sypesseir^ dan wie obgemelt 
seye, gewertig. Solichs zaigen wir E. Is auss sonnderen 
hohem vertrawen an, der zuversicht e. 1. vnd ander 
ChristenUche hertzen, werde des mit gedachter Kun 
niglichen wirde, vnnd vnns aiu sonnder freuntlicha 
mitleiden haben, vnnd sich solche des Thurckhen that 
vnd absiegung der gestalt behertzigen lassen wo der-» 
selb Turckh solchen seinen erlangten Sig, noch disea 
herbst vnnd winter, oder auf den Frueling weiter nach 
zugeen, vnnd auf Hungem vnd vnnser^ Nideroster- 
reichische Lande, mit der that zu handehi vndersteen 
wurde, das E. 1. neben andern Churfursten fursten vnd 
Stenden des Reichs fur sich selbs, gedachte Khunigk-. 
liche wirde vnd vnns mit statUcher hilff nit verlasseu 

Translation. 



bruited to have beaten and conquered our dear Lmd and brother-in-law the King 
of Hungary with his royal army. But of the place where such battle waft fought, and 
likewise touching the fate of the King's Grace we have not yet received advertisement* 
Howbdt we look hourly forward to other tidings : God grant they shall be gjLadder 
than the first. This we signify to your good Grace from singular high confidencg» 
trusting you and other Christian hearts will have especial fiiendly compassion with 
his said Grace and us, and will mind the Turk's explt^t and victory so tax, that, if 
the said Turk should further pursue his victorious career this autumn or winter, or 
in the spring, and boldly invade our Lower Austrian dominions, your good Grace* 
together with other Electors, Princes, and States of the Empire, will not f(»sake the 



a geblieben. *> sie bessor. • Euer Lididciw 



846 OBICIKAL LXTTEBS. 

werde^ wie wir, go eg die nott die wir dodi e, 1. nit 
vargunen, effordera solte, nit weniger mit gutem 
Hertzen vnd gemuet, nach vnserm vermiigen thun 
wolten, Dan £. L Erre und wolfart zusehen vnd die 
in bestendigen wesen zuerhalten, ist Vnns ain scmndere 
freud. Geben zu Innsprugg am Sibennden tag Sep- 
tembrig Anno D. 15^6^. 

Poet gcripta haben Wir ain andere Post entphangen, 
die laider Innenhalt, das die Slacht auf den neun vnd 
swentzigsten tag Augustj negstvergangen gewisslichen 
beschehen, vnd die Eunigkliche wirde von Hungem 
darinnen verloren, also, das man noch nit wissen mag, 
ob dieselbig in leben oder umbkomen ist. Darumb das 
Kunigreich Hungem sambt Vnseren Niderostenichi- 
gchen Landen, in hoechster geferlicheit steet, was tref- 
fenlichen grossen schreckhen nun solches der Christen- 
heit pringen soil, das hat E. 1. als des verstendig 
zuermessen. Bitten daruf dieselbig zum hechsten, sy 
wollen obgemelter massen bedacht sein Vnns mit hilff 

Translation, 



Kiqg^ Gnoe and oandvei, but grant their prinedy succour. The like are ovaadvea 
in a leatUnem, with good heart and mind to do according to the best of our power* if 
neoessUy, as we no wise wish, should require it. For to behold your good Grace^s 
bonour and weal, and to preserve the same in constant integrity, is a right particular 
pleasare to Us. Given at Inqimdc, on the Tth day Septembris, A. D. 1520». 

Fostscxipta. We have received another despatch, the whidi we grieve to say oon- 
tabietb, that the Battle dumoed on the nine and twentiethof August last passed, and 
was loet by his Grace of Hungary; neither is it yet known if the King^ Grace is still 
alive or killed. Wherefore the realm of Hungary* together with our Austrian domi- 
nions are brought into great jeopardy ; and what terrour and ruin will fall to Christen- 
dom thcniby* your good Grace's wisdom doth right well understand. We therefore 



ORIGINAL LSTTBB8. d¥f 

vnd sonderlich etlichen Puchsen maistem, vns diesel- 
bigen auf vnnser ferer erfordem zuzuscUcken, nit 
zuerlassen. 

E. lieb. besonder frundt, 

Ferenberff. 

Tranihtthn. 

benech you most seriously to call this to mind« and in likewise not oaAt to send. Us 
the succour aforesaid, and specially divers arquebuss-masters, such as may fkoia. 
time to time be required. 

By your good Grace's loving friend* 



The contest on the part of the Eling of Hungary was a rash one. A 
contemporary Account of the Battle preserved among the Gotfeoniaa 
Manuscripts, * states that twenty-five thousand men were <^»posed to two 
hundred and eighty thousand, ^^ Ccipim Regis tarn equitum quam pedi. 
turn, computatis auxiliis et stipendiaiiis, ad summum nv. mili» erant. 
Ex adverso Princeps Turcorum tarn equitum quam pedkum, oomputati» 
navalibus militibuS) habeibat duocnta et octoginta milia.'* The 27th 
and 28th of August were passed in skirmishing. The battle itself was 
on the 29th. The flower of the Hunpiian nobility and nearly the whole 
army were slain. The following was the List of some of the more eminent 
persons killed in it which was sent to the Emperor Chalks the Fiftti; it 
follows Ferdinand's Letter in the Cottonian Manuscript. 

Item the Bishop of Warden. 

The Bishop of FUnffkirchen. 

The Bishop of Rabb. 

The Affi Tancosth. 

Sarthani Dunbfosth. 

Corlatzki. 

Setzi Thanwisth. 

Onsorg Ferentzs. 

Tairzon Nidaus. 

» Nero B. xi. foL 2tt. 



1 



84S ORiaiMAL LETTERS. 

Item SigeChc 

^— Mychwell. 

■ Ccdmcmsky. 

The Bishop of Oieyn (saved •). 

Lofd Hertxrt sajs that Louis fled ftom the field, " till, by the fUl of 
his hone, haring his leg engaged, he was drowned in less than a span 
deep of water and mad.** ^ He was the last male of the ftmily of 
JagevoL 

Famee*s History of the Troubles of Hungarie, translated from the 
French by R. C. foL Lond. 1600, contains a very minute account of the 
battle of Mohats, the death of Louis, and the infatuation of friar Paul 
Tomoree, who incited the Hungarians to seek their ruin. 

The Hungarian force was divided into two battalions, in the second of 
which was the King. Upon the right hand of the King was the arch- 
Uahop of Strigonium, and the bishop of Zagrabia. Next to the bishop 
of Zagrabia, were the bishops of Varadine, the five Churches, and of 
Sirmia. Those of Javarin and Vacchia were upon the left hand. Be- 
hind the Chancellor were placed the bishops of Nitria and Bosnia, and 
the provost of Albe ; after whom were the secretaries and the grooms of 
the chamber. On the left side of the King, and near unto his person, 
there was a place void for the Count Palatine, who, althoug^i he had the 
gout, sate upon his horse and did his duty valiantly. 
. The place wherein the Hungarian army was seated and ranged in 
battle was distant from Mohats one mile, and fhnn the Danube half a 
mile, having near to it a Igng and large plain which was not any thing 
annoyed widi wood, bushes, hills, or water ; but only upon the leift hand 
toward the Danube there was a muddy marsh overgrown with rushes, 
within which, afUrward, many men lost their lives. Before the army, 
afitf ofi^, was a little hill which was of great length and in form of a 
theatre, bdiind which Solyman was encamped. At the foot of this hill 
there was a little village with a church, named Feulduuar, and in that 
village was planted the artillery of the enemy, with many souldiers, 
especially janizaries, who, on this side the houses of the village, took up 
a large space of ground by reason of their long and thick troops : among 
these, as after was known, was Solyman. 

The first encounter was not greatly annojring to the enemy, although 
more of their numbers were slain than of the Hungarians, insomuch that 
being hard pressed by the Christians the Turks retired ; but whether 
from the force and courage of the Hungarians, or as a manoeuvre, is un- 
certain. It was now declared to the King that the Turks had turned 
their backs, imd that the victory was his, ^' whereupon,** sa3rs the 

• « Itt darvon kummen.*' Orig, <> Hist. Hen. VIll. p. 201. 



ORIGINAL LBTTEBSL S49 

Historian, '' the King advanced forward in hap-hazard : but when they 
came to the place where the first charge was given, there might you have 
seen many bodies of the Hungars dispersed over all the field:" '' and 
then the King was seen no more in the rank where he was ; whether it 
was that he passed beyond the first ranks which were before him, or 
whether he was forced from the danger by those who were behind him, for 
both the one and the other might well be. Some said, that having gone 
beyond the ranks which were near him, he thrust himself into the front 
of the battle, where he valiantly fought with the enemy : but neither dare 
I affirm it, nor altogether deny it For my part I know this for truth, 
that he was not found in that place, neither in the rank wherein he wM at 
the beginning after the cannon of the enemy began to play, and when 
those of the left wing of the vanguard were seen to fly. At the same 
instant was missing the archbishop of Strigonium, who was side by side 
by the King, and also certain others who were by his Majesty." This 
last sentence, the Historian assures us, is from '^ the words of Broderic 
chancellor of Hungary, who was present at the battle.'* 

^' The violence of the fight endured at the most but an hour and a 
half, and many were swallowed up and smothered within the marsh which 
has been mentioned ; the body of the King (who was said to have ended 
his days in that place) was afterward found in a great whirle or rift of 
earth, above Mohatz, half a mile on this side a little village called Czelie ; 
the which meadow was then overflowed more than it was wont to be with 
the Danube ; in that place he was stifled with his horse under the wmter, 
being armed as he was at the battle." 

Thlb day after the battle, fifteen hundred persons who had been taken 
prisoners, among whom were the flower of the Hungarian nobility, were 
ordered by Solyman to be formed into a circle, and beheaded. 

With the Dispute between Ferdinand of Austria and John Zapol 
Sepuze, for the succ^ion to the Crown of Hungary, upon the death of 
Louis, the Reader has been made acquainted in the former Series. Much 
relating to this struggle will be found among the Letters in the Cottonian 
Collection, but it is not possible to refer more particularly to them here. 



END OF VOL. I. 



LONDON: 

PRIKTED BY THOMAS DAYISOM, WHITEFRIARS. 



■Si- 



on 




STANFORD UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES 

STANFORD AUXILIARY LIBRARY 

STANFORD, CALIFORNIA 94305-6004 

(415| 723-9201 

Alt books may be recalled afrer 7 days 

DATE DUE